US-Honduras Dissertation Enhancement: Insights into Multiple Stress Response and Belowground Competition Using Multilines of Contrasting Root Architecture

这一博士论文增强奖将资助宾夕法尼亚州立大学的博士生Amelia Henry在洪都拉斯进行实地研究，指导的是Jonathan Lynch博士，他是Henry女士的论文导师，也是洪都拉斯Zamorano大学的Juan Rosas博士。Rosas博士将就实验室和实验的数据分析部分提供建议。要测试的研究假设是，种植不同生根深度的豆类基因型是否会增加产量。测试是围绕两种不同的豆类基因设计的，只是它们的生根深度不同。试验包括单独或结合使用充足的水和营养物质，或耗尽的水和营养物质来提高基因型别。遗传分析将被用来确定决定产量的基因类型，生理测量将被用来评估多行种植产生的生长或产量差异的机制。这项研究解决了广泛的问题，涉及到各种技术，包括分子、生物和生态成分。这项研究的结果可以解决与发展中国家粮食安全高度相关的根生态的基本问题。

This Doctoral Dissertation Enhancement award will provide funding for Amelia Henry, a PhD student at Penn State University to conduct field studies in Honduras under the guidance of Dr. Jonathan Lynch, Ms. Henry's thesis advisor and Dr. Juan Rosas of Zamorano University, Honduras. Dr. Rosas, will provide advice on the laboratory and data analysis components of the experiments. The research hypothesis to be tested questions whether planting genotypes of beans that differ in rooting depth will provide increased yields. Tests are designed around two bean genotypes differing only in their rooting depth. Trials include raising the genotypes separately, and in combination, with either adequate water and nutrients, or depleted water and nutrients. Genetic analysis will be used to determine the genotypes responsible for yield, and physiological measurements will be made to assess the mechanisms accounting for and growth or yield differences that occur from the use of multiline planting. The study addresses a broad range of questions and involves a variety of techniques, including molecular, organismal, and ecological components. Results from the study could address basic questions in root ecology that are highly relevant to food security in developing countries.