Investigating and improving soil microbes to help sorghum adapt to climate change

Changing climate conditions that challenge global food production have researchers studying microbiomes and genetic engineering to improve crop resilience. A project getting underway is focused on beneficial bacteria in sorghum’s root mucilage – the sticky substance plants release to help with nutrient and water uptake. The goal is to enhance sorghum’s nitrogen fixation ability and drought tolerance. Scientists from Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, and UF/IFAS are collaborating on the project.

Sunny Liao is an associate professor of soil microbial ecology in the UF/IFAS department of soil, water, and ecosystem sciences. She oversees the project’s microbiome analysis and training the Embrapa team in advanced bioinformatics techniques.

“Soil microbes play an essential role in plant health,” said Liao. “Understanding how they respond to environmental stressors is key to developing climate-smart agriculture.”

Mucilage covers the aerial roots of a sorghum plant in Petrolina, Brazil. (Photo by Dr. Paulo Ivan Fernandes Júnior)

Leading the project is Dr. Paulo Ivan Fernandes Júnior, a soil microbiology researcher with Embrapa. The research team will evaluate how high temperatures and low water availability affect microbial communities in sorghum root mucilage.

“With that information,” Fernandes explained, “Using sorghum as our model system, we aim to develop bacteria with enhanced nitrogen-fixing abilities to support a crop’s adaptation to different climate change scenarios.”

The project has several objectives:

studying biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in sorghum
identifying key microbes present in root mucilage
analyzing gene expression in sorghum grown under different conditions
modifying specific and elite bacteria to improve nitrogen fixation

The Role of Microbes in Sorghum’s Resilience

Mucilage covers the aerial roots of a sorghum plant in Madison, Wisconsin. Some of the mucilage is dripping down from the roots. — Mucilage dripping off the aerial roots of a sorghum plant in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dr. Paulo Ivan Fernandes Júnior)

Microbes are natural partners to plants. These tiny organisms help them uptake nutrients, fight diseases, and tolerate environmental stress. Sorghum is a drought-resistant cereal crop, and some genotypes produce aerial root mucilage. This home for beneficial bacteria could be the key to more sustainable farming practices.

“Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for plant growth, but synthetic fertilizers can be costly and contribute to environmental issues,” said Liao. “By harnessing the power of soil microbes, we can create natural solutions that improve soil fertility and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.”

The research will use genetic sequencing techniques to analyze the composition and function of microbial communities found in sorghum root mucilage. The team will examine which bacteria thrive under different temperatures and moisture levels, providing insights into how these communities help plants tolerate environmental stress.

“Every microbe has a role to play in the soil ecosystem,” Liao explained. “By identifying the key players in sorghum mucilage, we can better understand how to optimize their functions to support plant health.”

Developing enhanced strains of nitrogen-fixing bacteria will be challenging. The researchers plan to modify some types of Enterobacteriaceae, even where synthetic fertilizers are present.

Looking Ahead

The findings from this research could have far-reaching implications for agriculture, particularly in regions that are vulnerable to climate change. By uncovering the relationships between sorghum, microbes, and environmental stressors, scientists aim to develop strategies that benefit both farmers and the environment.

“This research is not just about sorghum—it’s about the bigger picture of how we can work with nature to build more resilient food systems,” Liao said. “By understanding these microbial interactions, we are taking a step toward more sustainable agricultural solutions.”

As scientists continue to explore these natural allies, projects like this one highlight soil microbiology’s potential to shape the future of agriculture in a changing climate. Moreover, the effort fosters international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Work on the two-year effort began this March. Funding comes from the UF/IFAS-Embrapa, Brazil Climate Change Research Award. The program encourages collaborative research between UF/IFAS and Embrapa scientists to address climate change research topics.

Featured image of sorghum field in Hastings, Florida. UF/IFAS photo.