Symbiotic Changes in Nutrient Distribution In The Poplar
Rhizosphere Observed With FTIR Imaging
Tiffany Victor, PhD Student, Stony Brook University
ABSTRACT
Symbiotic associations in the rhizosphere between plants and micro-organisms lead to an
efficient and sustainable distribution of nutrients that promotes growth for all organisms
involved. Understanding this nutrient flow provides insight into the molecular dynamics involved
in nutrient transport from one organism to the other. To study this nutrient flow, we developed
an FTIR imaging method that entailed growing plants, fungi and bacteria on a nutrient vertical
plant system and then measured the distribution of key nutrients in the poplar rhizosphere. The
nutrient distribution in the poplar rhizosphere showed evidence for symbiotic sharing of nutrients
where the nitrate concentration is high around the fungi but depleted at the plant root. Similarly,
the sucrose used in the growth media as a carbon source is depleted around the fungi but
higher further out in the rhizosphere. This ability to monitor nutrient changes with other microorgasms in the rhizosphere is a key step for understanding nutrient flow processes.
BIOGRAPHY
Tiffany Victor received her B.S in Chemistry from Grambling State University and is currently
working towards her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stony Brook University. Her research focuses on
nutrient uptake in plants, specifically poplar. This research aims to understand the symbiotic
changes in nutrient distribution in the poplar rhizosphere using infrared microspectroscopy.
th
8 Annual NYS Biotechnology Symposium
- May 19 & 20, 2016 -