Nanotechnology Employed Bacteria based Delivery Strategy for Enhanced Plant Nutrient Uptake Ability

About UM6P :

Located at the heart of the future Green City in Benguerir, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a higher education institution with an international standard, is established to serve Morocco and the African continent. Its vision is honed around research and innovation at the service of education and development. This unique nascent university, with its state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, has woven a sound academic and research network, and its recruitment process is seeking high-quality academics and professionals in order to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech.

About HTMR :

HTMR, the unique high-throughput multidisciplinary research laboratory in Morocco that aims to promote utilization of automated and parallelization approaches for applying high-throughput and combinatorial experimental methodologies to accelerate the development of new materials and processes.

The HTMR laboratory allows scientists to consolidate their research and proof-of-concept based on fully automated tools allowing the synthesis and screening of large numbers of compounds through workflows design, as well as the optimization of reaction/process conditions much more rapidly than the conventional approaches.

HTMR is a capability that supports the UM6P ecosystem and Moroccan industry to accelerate the research and development reducing the time and cost involved in the materials/process development and optimization in key applications:

• Metallurgy & anti-corrosion materials;
• Phosphates, intelligent fertilizers, silicon and fluoride-based materials;
• Energy storage (Electrolyte, Electrodes...);
• Biomaterials and Industrial By-Products;
• Characterizations and analyses.

Context :

As the global population continues to grow rapidly, there is an urgent need to boost agricultural productivity to combat poverty and ensure adequate nutrition for all. However, modern agriculture faces significant challenges, including the concurrent decrease of cultivable land due to urbanization, water scarcity, climate change, decline in crop yields, multi-nutrient deficiencies, and the depletion of organic matter.

Among essential nutrients for plant growth, phosphorus (P) is the least accessible, as many agricultural soils are deficient due to factors such as leaching, degradation, insolubility, and decomposition. These deficiencies result in limited nutrient availability, reduced crop yields, and significant economic losses for farmers. To address these issues, farmers often resort to the excessive application of conventional fertilizers. However, a substantial portion of these fertilizers dissipate into the environment, through different mechanisms (Evaporation, leaching and precipitation), contributing to ecological damage.

Considering these challenges, the development of innovative agricultural practices is essential to enhance nutrient availability for plants, ensuring adequate nutrition and addressing food security for a growing global population. One alternative to synthetic fertilizers has been the application of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), which have demonstrated eco-friendly and cost-effective benefits.

Keywords :

Nutrient, phosphorus, fertilizers, PGPB, Plant.

Specific objectives for the PhD candidate :

1. Isolation and identification of bacteria.
2. Biochemical characterization.
3. Physicochemical characterization (FTIR, XRD, SEM, ICP, Zeta potential,…).
4. Agronomic tests:
   • Evaluation of the morphological parameters (Chlorophyll content, fluorescence, stem length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf number...).
   • Visualization of Root Architecture.
   • Investigation of Physiological parameters (Measurement of Phosphorus bioavailability in leaves, soil and roots).
   • Measurement of the total Phosphorus content in soil.
   • Assay of Phosphatase activity in leaves, soil and roots.
   • Evaluation of total phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium content (ICP).

Profile :

• Applicants must have a degree in Engineering or Master's (or equivalent) in biology, biochemistry, agronomy, Soil Science or another relevant field.
• Strong French and English communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment.
• Knowledge in bacteriology and plant biology.