Abdulkabir Abdulmalik
Research Focus
My research focuses on engineering plant growth-promoting microbiomes. Plants significantly shape associated soil microbiomes which in turn influence plant performance. Different host species can lead to distinct shifts in the soil microbial composition and underlie the so-called “soil legacy effects” that impact plant growth and ecosystem dynamics across generations. Using an experimental evolution approach, I will attempt to drive selected soil microbiomes of Arabidopsis thaliana towards the acquisition of plant growth-promoting effects. Through this research, I aim to develop an independent method to increase plant growth without the addition of chemical fertilizers or extensive crop breeding programs.
