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Dr. Mahalingam receives OCAST grant |
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Dr. Ramamurthy Mahalingam was awarded a $253,000 OCAST grant, over a period of two years, for his project titled "Molecular, biochemical and physiological responses of Medicago truncatula to combined chronic ozone and water deprivation stress". Project Summary
More than 80% of the potential yields of crop plants are lost due to abiotic stresses. There is a compelling need to improve plant resistance to abiotic stresses taking into consideration the fact that multiple stresses occur simultaneously in nature. In this research we propose to use Medicago truncatula to address two major environmental issues - water stress and global change stress due to increasing ozone, in the realistic context of their combined occurrence in field conditions. By systematic screening of M truncatula germplasm collection we have identified line JE154 that is resistant and A17 line that is sensitive to chronic ozone and water stress singly, and in combination. We will analyze the physiological impact (photosynthesis efficiency, transpiration, stomatal conductance and biomass) of the combined stresses in these two lines. Changes in redox status in response to combined stresses will be evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide and key antioxidants. Affymetrix GeneChip technology will be used for profiling changes in gene expression. Using accessions showing contrasting phenotypes to chronic ozone and water deprivation in microarray analysis will enable identifying gene networks vital for imparting resistance or sensitivity to combined stresses. This integrated phenocentric approach will serve in recognizing key regulatory and signaling genes for improving plant resistance to multiple abiotic stresses. This research will be extremely valuable for enhancing productivity of U.S. and global agriculture in the long run, considering the sub-optimal environmental conditions in which crop plants have to thrive in the future.
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