Researchers at NDSU, in collaboration with South Dakota State University, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Sitting Bull College have been awarded a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop microbial fertilizers for crop nutrient management in North Dakota and South Dakota. This project will bring together researchers from North Dakota and South Dakota to develop a Center for Climate-Conscious Agricultural Technologies.
The research at NDSU is led by Febina Mathew, associate professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, in collaboration with Qifeng Zhang, Electrical and Computer Engineering associate professor; Travis Seaborn, School of Natural Resource Sciences assistant professor; Surya Sarat Chandra Congress, Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering assistant professor; Samiran Banerjee, Microbiological Sciences assistant professor; Nancy Hodur, Center for Social Research director; Rajani Pillai, Department of Management and Marketing professor; and Britt Heidinger, Biological Sciences associate professor.
"These microbial fertilizers are basically strains of bacteria, isolated from roots of corn and other crops, that have the potential for phosphorous solubilization as well as nitrogen and carbon dioxide fixation,” says Mathew. “Our research will determine how soil factors can affect the establishment of microbial consortia (groupings) and develop strategies to use these microbes commercially in the cultivation of corn/maize, an important crop in the Dakotas.”
Through the proposed research, the scientists will:
- Determine the use and stability of microbial consortia under in vitro, greenhouse and field conditions
- Develop and apply sensors to assess soil factors (specifically temperature and water) to determine their effect on the establishment of microbes
- Assess the economic feasibility of microbe fertilizers in comparison to chemical fertilizers
- Understand the preferences and willingness of farmers in rural and Native American communities to accept microbial fertilizers as a substitute for chemical fertilizers for crop nutrient management
In addition to the research, Mathew, who was awarded the Faculty Fellow for Broadening Participation from NDSU’s Office of Research and Creative Activity in 2023, will lead the workforce component for the team.
The specific goal for the workforce component is to expand the research and technical capability of early- and mid-career faculty; as well as to encourage STEM students, especially from Native American communities in the Dakotas to earn graduate degrees or teaching certifications at participating institutions.
“We are excited to collaborate with SDSU, SDSMT, Sitting Bull College and our industrial partner, Poet, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on this project,” says Mathew.
“The broader impact of this NSF-funded project is working with farmers in rural and Native American communities of the Dakotas to understand how biofertilizers can play an important role in sustainable agriculture and improved crop yield with reduced chemical inputs,” says Jack Rasmussen, Department of Plant Pathology chair. “This is a great outcome for both the economic bottom line and for the environment.”
This project is one of 11 projects funded by the NSF’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program to build research infrastructure and education in U.S. states that demonstrate research commitment but may not have received financial investment as few other states[MF1] . [MF2] The Center for Climate Conscious Agricultural Technologies (CCAT) is funded through NSF Award #2316502.
“As evident from EPSCoR’s impact, investing in research infrastructure is a powerful catalyst for strengthening our nation’s security, competitiveness and fostering groundbreaking scientific advancements,” said NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “I am thrilled to announce this year’s EPSCoR Track-2 awards, which will strengthen community and regional efforts to understand the impacts of a changing climate and enchance the resilience of disproportionately affected communities. By addressing these critical challenges, and engaging with communities impacted by climate change, we have the potential to advance innovation and promote economic stability and recovery in EPSCoR jurisdictions and beyond.”
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