Optimizing drought tolerance in turfgrass through microbial engineering
Develops synthetic microbiomes to improve turfgrass drought tolerance. Using plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that colonize roots, the approach enhances root architecture via phytohormone and signaling compound production. Expected outcomes include increased root length, biomass, surface area, and branching, supporting healthier turf under water deficit conditions. Applicable to golf courses, sports fields, and residential lawns.
Overview
Optimizing drought tolerance in turfgrass through microbial engineering involves utilizing synthetic microbiomes to enhance the plant's ability to withstand water deficit conditions. This approach leverages plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) which colonize the roots, producing phytohormones and signaling compounds that improve root architecture. The result is enhanced root length, biomass, surface area, and branching, leading to healthier and more aesthetically pleasing turfgrass even under drought stress. This approach is particularly beneficial for applications in golf courses, sports fields, and residential lawns, where maintaining turf quality under water restrictions is critical.
Technical specifications
- Utilizes Host-Mediated Microbiome Engineering (HMME) to develop PGPR and core keystone bacteria consortia.
- Synthetic microbial communities include Bacillus and Streptomyces, known for their drought tolerance support.
- Adapted to semi-arid conditions through bioprospecting and artificial selection.
- Two-phase validation: laboratory and greenhouse development followed by field testing.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 5, this technology has completed initial development and laboratory validation. The next steps involve field testing to further validate the effectiveness of the microbial treatments in real-world drought conditions. This stage will refine the solution to ensure reliable performance across various turfgrass applications.
About Texas A&M University, College Station
Texas A&M University in College Station is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship of The Texas A&M University System, combining broad academic strengths with a strong applied‑research culture. Industry collaborates on the Texas A&M‑RELLIS campus—an integrated education, research and testing environment that supports large‑scale experimentation and proving grounds—and through the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s facilities in Bryan‑College Station. A statewide extension network connects university expertise to companies and communities across all Texas counties, enabling rapid piloting and deployment. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA and DoD, alongside state and industry sponsorship. Texas A&M Innovation provides IP management, licensing and commercialization pathways across the system.
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