Faculty of Science Research Talk: Understanding Plant Root Domestication Under P Deficiencies.

Name: Muhammad Faiz Bin Abdul Rahman – School of Biosciences

Title:  Understanding Plant Root Domestication Under P Deficiencies.

Abstract:

The introduction of agricultural practices including the use of artificial fertilisers, herbicides and mechanisation in mid-twentieth century has significantly improved the yield traits of domesticated plants. However, increasing trend of global water scarcity and the high cost of inputs especially artificial fertilisers, limit the effectiveness of modern agricultural practices, particularly in developing countries and those with extreme climatic conditions. Introducing associated wild progenitor plant traits into the domesticated crops could contribute to a more efficient low input farming, by taking advantages of resilient characteristics of wild progenitors to abiotic stresses such as drought and low soil fertility. The present study investigates 2D root characteristics under phosphorus (P) deficiency of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of wild lettuce (Lactuca serriola) and its domesticated relative (Lactuca sativa) and how far domestication has changed the morphology of the wild relative roots. This study also includes future interdisciplinary study, which include the usage of X-ray micro computed tomography (µCT) to visualise the 3D images of undisturbed roots.