How do Australian plants cope with phosphorus deficiency?

Summary

Determine how Australian native plants can cope with phosphorus deficiency

Supervisor(s)

Associate Professor Charles Warren

Research Location

School of Biological Sciences

Program Type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

Plants have multiple strategies to cope with phosphorus deficiency such as modifications of root architecture, mycorrhizal associations, and exudation of compounds that increase phosphorus availability in the soil. An additional strategy that is only just receiving attention is replacement of phospholipids with non-phosphate containing membrane lipids. 

This exciting and novel project will determine the role of lipids in tolerance of phosphorus deficiency. Such information can then be used to develop agricultural and forest crops that are more tolerant of phosphorus deficiency. 

Additional Information

• Current PhD/Hons topics being undertaken at the location or with the supervisors
Uptake of organic forms of nitrogen by Eucalyptus
Discrimination against carbon isotopes during photosynthesis

• Is the opportunity also available for Honours students?
Yes, there is the possibility of a one-year honours project.  Please contact Charle Warren for info

• Techniques, methodologies, research approaches, technologies, etc., employed by the project -
Mass spectrometry will be used for lipid ID and quantification.  Field experiments will make use of the wide variety of ecosystems and soil types in and around Sydney.  Manipulative greenhouse experiments will enable testing of ideas under controlled conditions.  

Keywords

Plant, native plants, metabolomics, mass spectrometry, stress, molecular mechanisms, phosphorus, lipids

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 661

Other opportunities with Associate Professor Charles Warren

• Developing a metabolomics toolkit based on capillary electrophoresis
• Do plants, bacteria or fungi win in competition for nitrogen?