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SUMMARY:Crop Science Seminar: Improving the mycorrhizal symbiosis in sprin
 g barley – lab and field studies - Dr Tom Thirkell\, Head of Pest &amp\;
  Pathogen Research\, CSC
DTSTART:20220323T103000Z
DTEND:20220323T113000Z
UID:TALK171968@talks.cam.ac.uk
DESCRIPTION:Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are ubiquitous symbionts of cerea
 l crops worldwide and may contribute substantially to the P and N uptake o
 f their host plant. In exchange for mineral nutrients and water\, the fung
 i receive carbon as lipids and carbohydrates. The symbiosis is essential f
 or the fungus\, which cannot complete its lifecycle without the host plant
 \, while the impact on the plant varies between mutualism and parasitism. 
 Engineering the symbiosis to be more beneficial for the plant should allow
  more efficient nutrient capture and reduced fertiliser demand. Key genes 
 which control symbiotic signalling and fungal colonisation have been chara
 cterised in controlled conditions but not in the field. Knockouts of certa
 in genes can abolish mycorrhizal colonisation in barley\, while over-expre
 ssion of other genes causes increased colonisation\, especially at high so
 il P concentrations which normally suppress mycorrhizas.\nIn this presenta
 tion\, I will talk through plans for our trial which has very recently bee
 n approved by DEFRA. Using gene-edited and genetically modified barley lin
 es\, I will test the function of these genes in field trials. In addition 
 to yield and nutrition data\, root and soil samples will be taken to quant
 ify and characterise fungal colonisation in these contrasting barley lines
 . Disease scoring will identify any effects of these genes on pathogen sus
 ceptibility.\n\nDue to having to go online\, we are restricting the talks 
 to University of Cambridge and alumni to keep them as informal as possible
 .\n\nContact reception@plantsci.cam.ac.uk for a Zoom link prior to a talk 
 if you are not on our mailing list.
LOCATION:Online
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