A Greener Way to Control Weeds: Using the Soil Microbiome to Combat Blackgrass
Blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides) is Western Europe’s most problematic weed. The strong selective pressures imposed by modern agriculture have sculpted blackgrass biology to such an extent that it is found almost exclusively within agricultural fields. This human-driven evolution has rendered conventional weed control strategies ineffective, and we urgently need innovative alternatives to regain control and reduce the harm that blackgrass causes in the UK’s agricultural ecosystems.
To meet this need, we will explore the natural soil microbiome looking for microbes that can control herbicide-resistant blackgrass and in doing so uncover a greener way to control weeds.
Our preliminary laboratory data shows that microbes from the UK Crop Microbiome Cryobank can significantly reduce blackgrass seedling growth. Excitingly, these isolates do not similarly reduce the growth of key blackgrass-infested crops (wheat, barley). This PhD project will build on these promising findings and work toward developing these soil microbes as environmentally-friendly, biocontrol agents or sources of natural products to suppress herbicide-resistant weeds.
By understanding how these microbes specifically repress blackgrass, this PhD presents a novel route to enhance food security and solve the blackgrass problem, a solution that arable farmers so desperately need. This PhD will build better biocontrol of blackgrass.
We commit to providing personalised mentorship, and opportunities to build research, project management, writing and presentation skills. We will accommodate diverse needs so everyone can participate safely, fully and equally in research activities. At Rothamsted, the PhD candidate will be fully embedded within the Weed Molecular Biology team and closely liaise with the Soil Microbiology team and at the University of Lancaster, the Dodd lab. The PhD candidate will receive training and guidance in all required skills and techniques and obtain well-rounded training on a contemporary environmental science research project which can act as a springboard for a career in research.
Eligibility/Entry requirements
This project is only open to UK “home” applicants.
Candidates shall be good honours graduates in appropriate subject areas, of a recognised University or comparable University, or persons holding equivalent qualifications who show evidence of exceptional ability, or who have demonstrated their ability in graduate studies.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Our graduates come from a diverse range of backgrounds and ethnicities and Envision strives to ensure that no applicant/student shall experience prejudice at admissions or during their studies, related to their sexuality, disability or any other protected characteristic.
Please note that any applicant who has previously completed an Envision Research Experience Placement (REP) will be guaranteed an interview for the Envision project that they apply to.
Contact for enquiries
This project will be based at Rothamsted Research with Dr Dana MacGregor.