Characterizing the adverse effects associated with crop domestication on environmental microbiomes and developing strategies to alleviate them.

The domestication of wild plants for human needs has been a fundamental element of human civilization, giving rise to various crops that are crucial for human sustenance. However, the cultivation of modern crops necessitates significant human intervention, particularly for those bred in recent times, as they lack the natural ability to adapt and propagate. As a consequence, farmers must continually contend with pests and pathogens through the utilization of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This race against time is further compounded by the rapidly changing climate, as extreme weather events become more frequent and the use of agricultural chemicals contributes to environmental degradation, which exacerbates climate change.

1. Evaluate crop domestication effects on host-plant’s ability to recruit and sustain their microbiome,

2. Characterize health consequences of microbiome alterations caused by crop domestication.

1. Develop novel biofertilizers to improve crop health, and

2. Develop microbial inoculum for use as biopesticides to control pests.