Use of Plant Growth-promoting Microbes for Improved Soybean Yield and Stress Tolerance

This project was funded by the KSPB grant program in 2019-2020, and has allowed us to obtain exciting data related to the use of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma in regulating soybean growth and development as well as response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Our work has yielded exciting insights into molecules that could contribute to induced resistance and abiotic tolerance. In addition, we showed that Trichoderma positively regulates Rhizobia-mediated nitrogen fixation. A patent application involving use of a recently discovered RNA molecule to improve biotic resistance has been filed. Funding is requested for an additional year to complete the field trials using Trichoderma and to develop the patented RNA molecule for field trials. The overall goal of this research project is to increase profitability of soybean production by simultaneously increasing yield as well as tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses.