Optimising crop root growth and function for enhanced drought resilience in legume-sorghum intercropping

Root phenotyping, drought tolerance, sorghum, legumes, intercropping, rhizosphere biology

36 months

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 3-4

Introduction

ORACLE aims to optimize root growth and function to improve drought resistance in legume-sorghum intercrops. The project will utilize advanced root phenotyping, molecular plant biology and soil biology techniques to enhance sorghum breeding programs and identify optimal plant combinations for specific production environments.

  • What: Optimizing crop root systems for drought tolerance

  • Why: To improve crop resilience and food security in dry regions

  • Where: Field trials in Ethiopia and Australia, controlled experiments in Germany

Background

Drought poses a major challenge for agriculture in arid regions. While root systems play a crucial role in plant water and nutrient uptake, especially under drought stress, our understanding of root traits and their interactions with soil microorganisms remains limited. This project aims to address this knowledge gap using cutting-edge technologies.

Main project activities

  • Conduct field trials in Ethiopia and Australia

  • Perform controlled experiments in Germany

  • Utilize advanced root phenotyping and modeling techniques

  • Analyze plant metabolites and carbon/nitrogen fluxes in the rhizosphere

  • Investigate interactions between sorghum, legumes, and microorganisms

  • Identify beneficial root traits and genotypes for different growing conditions

  • Engage with breeders, researchers and practitioners and develop workshops and training material programs for plant breeders

Expected social impact

This project will directly impact local agricultural systems by improving drought resistance and nutrient efficiency in crops, especially in dry regions by optimizing root traits and plant combinations. The research will benefit breeders by engaging them in the research project, providing them with new technological and biological knowledge and farmers through improved crop varieties and agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to more stable food production and economic opportunities in drought-prone areas.

Implementation and plans to reach target groups

The project will engage with plant breeders and researchers through targeted capacity building initiatives, including high-level fellowships and training programs. Results will be disseminated through impactful publications and a final project symposium. Direct collaboration with local agricultural systems will ensure that findings are relevant and applicable to farmers in the target regions. Partnerships between institutions in Germany, Ethiopia, and Australia will facilitate knowledge transfer and broad implementation of project outcomes.

Partners of the project

  • Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Germany

    Prof. Dr. Natalie Laibach

    • Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences

    • University of Queensland

    • Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research

    • Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, Germany

    • Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research: ACIAR, Australia