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Ganesh Madakaripura Rangaswarmy

Candidature

PhD Candidate

Thesis title

The Brassica bio-shield: Microbe-based approaches for improved disease resistance and plant health

Research project

Ganesh Madakaripura RangaswarmyMy research centres on enhancing disease suppression in Brassica crops by utilising beneficial plant-associated microbes. Brassicas, including cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, are essential vegetable crops worldwide but are highly vulnerable to bacterial pathogens such as Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) and Pseudomonas syringae. These pathogens significantly impact yield and quality, prompting the need for sustainable disease management strategies.

My project aims to develop innovative biocontrol methods by isolating and characterising plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRS) and biocontrol agents (BCAS) from Brassica plant microbiomes. I am particularly interested in identifying microbial strains with robust antagonistic activity against these pathogens and demonstrating their potential to boost plant growth and resilience. By employing plate-based assays and greenhouse trials, I systematically assess the efficacy of these isolates in disease suppression and growth enhancement.

A unique aspect of my research involves exploring the synergistic effects of combining PGPRs and BCAs to maximise disease suppression while maintaining good plant growth and health. This way, I aim to balance the growth-defence trade-off during stress conditions. I also aim to understand biochemical and molecular mechanisms, including secondary metabolite production and quorum quenching activities of beneficial microbes. I am also integrating functional genomics and metabolomics to investigate how microbial inoculants influence plant defence pathways and reshape the microbiome.

I also collaborate with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Menangle, NSW, Australia to integrate research findings into practical applications and enhance agricultural outcomes. Ultimately, my research aims to develop eco-friendly biocontrol strategies that reduce chemical inputs, promote plant health, and improve the sustainability of Brassica crop production.

Supervisory panel

Uffe N Nielsen, Jonathan M Plett, Toni Chapman (DPI)