Eco-evolution of rye and it's microbial allies

First, I will sequence the genomes of rye landrace populations to determine their genetic diversity and population structure. Second, I will characterize rye microbiomes and determine how they have been affected by domestication. Third, I will establish environmental, microbial or phenotypic drivers of adaptation in rye populations. Finally, using experimental evolution, I will provide the first direct test of eco-evolutionary feedback between plants and microbes by comparing populations where the feedback is either maintained or disrupted.

My research represents the first integration of whole-genome sequencing, microbiome
analysis and experimental evolution to investigate rye-microbiome interactions. The findings will enhance our understanding of how microbes contribute to plant environmental adaptation and lead to breeding crop varieties with enhanced ability to recruit beneficial microbiota.

The project will be conducted at SLU over four years, with international collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Australia and Rothamsted Research, UK, and national collaborations with Uppsala University and across three SLU departments.