PhD defence by Wenjing Tian
Mechanistic foundations of microbe-induced root plasticity in cereals
Assessment Committee
Professor Fulai Liu, PLEN, University of Copenhagen (Chairperson)
Associate Professor Ramesh Raju Vetukuri, Department of Plant Breeding, SLU, Alnarp, Sweden
Head of the Institute Raffaella Maria Balestrini, Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources-CNR, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
Supervisor(s)
Professor Thomas Georg Roitsch
Associate Professor Mette Haubjerg Nicolaisen
Assistant Professor Chandana Pandey
Department
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Place
Digital defence, please follow the link: https://ucph-ku.zoom.us/j/68432120814?pwd=UcQPyxJFUkEzdfxSnWCBegYe1Bbhva.1
MeetingID, if relevant: 684 3212 0814
Password, if relevant: 112795
As the defence will be held digitally, we kindly ask guests who do not have an active role in the defence to mute their microphones and keep their cameras turned off throughout the defence. Questions from the audience should be submitted via the chat function.
Email address to gain access to the thesis: twj20146197@outlook.com
You will either receive a copy of the thesis or be informed where you can read a physical copy.
Short description of the thesis
Plant roots are crucial for water and nutrient uptake and play a central role in interactions with beneficial soil microorganisms. This doctoral dissertation investigates how plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) reshape root development in barley and wheat. Combining molecular biology, physiology, genetics, and microbiome approaches, the study shows that PGPR-induced root developmental changes are associated with coordinated shifts in hormone signaling, carbohydrate metabolism, and ROS homeostasis. The dissertation further demonstrates that plant responses to PGPR are influenced by genetic background and environmental conditions. Together, these findings provide new insights into plant->microbe interactions and support microbiome-informed strategies for sustainable crop improvement.