Bacterial Culture Collection for Agricultural Microbial Research
Extensive microbial culture collection from Nebraska agricultural soils featuring 2,000+ bacterial isolates with 16S sequencing and 600+ draft genome-sequenced strains. Supports discovery of beneficial microbes for crop improvement, with applications in corn, sorghum, and soybean growth enhancement and nitrogen use efficiency.
Overview
This bacterial culture collection offers a comprehensive resource of over 2,000 microbial isolates, primarily from agricultural plants including corn, sorghum, and various grasses grown across multiple Nebraska soil types. Approximately 600 isolates have been draft genome sequenced with full annotations, while 2,000+ have 16S rRNA gene sequencing data enabling genus-level identification. The collection serves as a foundational platform for identifying and characterizing beneficial microorganisms that can improve crop performance, particularly under challenging soil conditions such as alkaline soils and low-nitrogen environments.
The collection enables researchers and industry partners to move beyond culture-independent microbiome data sets by providing physical, characterized isolates that can be tested in greenhouse and field conditions. About 300 microbes with sequenced genomes are currently being analyzed computationally for their functional characteristics, accelerating the identification of candidates with desirable plant growth-promoting traits.
Technical specifications
Collection scope:
- Over 2,000 bacterial isolates with 16S rRNA gene sequence data for genus-level identification
- Approximately 600 isolates with draft genome sequences and annotated genomes
- Approximately 300 isolates currently under computational functional analysis
- Primarily sourced from corn, sorghum, and grass rhizosphere and soil samples across diverse Nebraska soil types
Research applications:
- Greenhouse-tested strains with demonstrated effects on corn, sorghum, and soybean growth
- Evaluation of bacterial inoculant delivery methods for cereal crops
- High-resolution phenotyping of plant genotypic and phenotypic responses to low nitrogen and synthetic microbial communities
- Ongoing alkaline soil soybean growth study
- Active nitrogen use efficiency study in corn
Validation evidence:
The collection has been validated through peer-reviewed research demonstrating practical applications in agricultural inoculant development and plant-microbe interaction studies. Strains have been tested under controlled greenhouse conditions and in synthetic community experiments to assess plant growth responses.
Technology readiness level
The collection is at an advanced research and validation stage. Multiple isolates have already been tested in greenhouse trials on corn, sorghum, and soybean with documented results. Current studies are expanding validation to alkaline soil conditions and nitrogen use efficiency applications. The combination of genomic data and greenhouse validation positions selected strains for potential field trial progression and commercial development partnerships.
About University of Nebraska, Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Nebraska system, combining land-grant reach with a collaborative, industry-engaged culture. A research and technology park adjacent to campus provides modern wet and dry labs, greenhouses, offices, and conferencing, enabling companies to co-locate with faculty and access shared equipment and pilot environments. A statewide extension network links university expertise with producers and communities, creating rapid pathways for field trials, demonstrations, and workforce pipelines. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, USDA, DOE, and NIH. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, agreements, and startup formation with industry-friendly terms.
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