Arkansas State University (A-State) has secured a $2.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation for a collaborative research initiative aimed at enhancing drought tolerance in crucial crops such as rice and wheat. The project, titled “Collaborative Research: FEC: Boosting Tolerance to Water Stress in Rice and Wheat Using Mycorrhizal Inoculants,” falls under the NSF’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
Dr. Argelia Lorence, a professor in metabolic engineering, is spearheading this research, with Dr. Scott A. Mangan, an associate professor of ecology, as co-principal investigator. The project involves partnerships with universities in Kansas and Nebraska and will last four years.
The focus of this research is to explore how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi—beneficial soil fungi—can enhance the resilience of rice and wheat to water stress, particularly as droughts become more frequent and severe. Mycorrhizal fungi form beneficial relationships with plant roots, improving nutrient and water uptake, which could lead to better crop yields.
In addition to improving agricultural outcomes, the project aims to train undergraduate and graduate students and facilitate workforce development across Arkansas and partner institutions. It officially commenced on August 1 and will run until July 31, 2030.
