Enhanced nutritional value and tolerance to abiotic stress in crops throughbiostimulant formulations and micronutrition with influence on epigenetics

The PhD project builds upon the success of a recent research project funded by Innovate UK (710633), in which we managed to increase pepper nutritional value, shelf life, flavour, and heat/drought tolerance. For this project, we intend to develop a unique new formulation or programme of biostimulants and micronutrients that increases crop quality and abiotic stress tolerance.
Plant biostimulants contain diverse substances and micro-organisms which are applied to plants or the rhizosphere is to stimulate natural processes to enhance/benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and crop quality. According to a recent report by Anonymous, the worldwide market for biostimulants increases 12 % per year and will reach over $2,200 million in 2018. However, research is not clear about the mechanism of the biostimulant and micronutrients use efficacy because little is known about the complicacy of plant processes governing nutrients uptake (absorption, remobilisation) and utilisation. The understanding of the dynamic interactions between crop-physiological processes and metabolic processes, could help in identifying effective fertilizer nutrient composition and in developing next-generation fertilizers. The project is a collaboration between Micromix Plant Health Ltd (MPH) and Nottingham Trent University. The main aim of this project is to develop biostimulant formulations and micronutrient formulas that can enhance stress tolerance and improve plant growth and quality. We therefore will aim to 1) investigate the interactive effects of biostimulants and micronutrients on nutrients use efficiency and resistance to abiotic stress; 2) determine the effect of the biostimulants and micronutrients on crop quality; 3) understand mechanism of biostimulants (e.g. humic acid, algal extracts and amino acids) on plant metabolic process and regulation of genes that respond to abiotic stress (e.g. drought) and plant growth. To achieve this we will collect and integrate all data from field trials and glasshouse trials, which will include physiological data, metabolomics and transcriptomic data. These will help clarify how specific biostimulants substances affect nutrient uptake, plant growth and stress-tolerance responses, and how these vary through different delivery systems (comparing foliar with root uptake)and timings. Also it will offer the potential to find markers for the crop breeding through product development of biostimulants.

Entry requirements:

A first class or upper second-class UK BSc (Hons) degree (or international equivalent) and a Master’s degree in disciplines relating to plant science or plant physiology is essential.
Applicants having a background in both plant nutrition and molecular biology are particularly encouraged to apply.

Eligibility:

Applications can be accepted from UK/EU and also International students. The minimum English language proficiency requirement for candidates who have not undertaken a higher degree at a UK HE institution is IELTS 6.5 (with no element to be below 6.0). For further details please contact the NTU Doctoral School.