Supervisors:

Prof. Ian Dodd

Prof. Dave Johnson

Project Description:

Conventional arable agriculture with extensive tillage, application of biocides and synthetic fertilisers degrades soil structure, decreases soil organic matter and alters soil microbiology. There is increasing interest in soil amendments and commercial products to reverse these trends. While supplying single strain microbial inoculants with specific plant growth-promoting traits can enhance crop growth (Teijeiro et al. 2020), variable responses occur as introduced microbes have to compete with indigenous microbes. Instead, land management can alter the frequency with which such plant growth-promoting traits occur in the microbial community (Ruscoe et al. 2021). Thus several products aim to stimulate the soil microbial community, but the mechanisms by which these products promote plant growth remain elusive.

Bio Charged Compost Company sells plant growth promoting Compbucha Extract™, derived from composting specific vegetation types in a proprietary process. Field trials demonstrate positive effects (including increased drought tolerance) of adding this product on the growth of several crops, but its performance has not been assessed in structured trials that vary soil water and nutrient status. Thus we seek to:

• Evaluate the biochemical composition of Compbucha Extract™ via high performance liquid chromatography to suggest possible plant growth-promoting mechanisms
• Determine the growth, water use and nutrient uptake of crops grown with Compbucha Extract™ and relevant controls in glasshouse experiments
• Conduct field trials (in several locations) of the most responsive crop to assess crop quality using standardised indicators

What’s in it for you ?

Using greenhouse and field experiments, we seek to understand how Bio Charged Compost Co’s Compbucha Extract™ enhances crop growth and assess its performance relative to comparator products and conventional chemical fertilisers. After analysing the extract’s biochemical / nutritional composition with LU technical staff support, you will grow crops in unamended or amended soils to measure their growth, water use and nutrient uptake. Greenhouse experiments (pot trials) allow precise plant water use (gravimetrically) and leaf growth (with a ruler and/or image analysis) measurements. Soil and plant nutrient content will be determined via ICP-OES. Since Compbucha Extract™ is expected to enhance crop water stress resilience, you will also impose different irrigation treatments, to measure leaf water status (thermocouple psychrometry) and stomatal conductance (transient time porometry). There will be opportunities to undertake field work.

References

RG Teijeiro, AA Belimov, IC Dodd (2020) Microbial inoculum development for ameliorating crop drought stress: a case study of Variovorax paradoxus 5C-2. New Biotechnology 56, 103-113.

HL Ruscoe, R Taketani, IM Clark, G Lund, DJ Hughes, IC Dodd, P Hirsch, T Mauchline (2021) Land management legacy affects abundance and function of the acdS gene in wheat root associated pseudomonads. Frontiers in Microbiology 12, 611339.

General eligibility criteria

Enthusiasm, independence, self-motivation, curiosity and the ability to communicate to a range of audiences are all distinctly advantageous qualities for a Masters by Research (MSc-R). Applicants would normally be expected to hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant degree course. However, applicants who have gained experience in relevant fields through non-traditional routes are strongly encouraged to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian or Ethnic Minorities candidates, candidates who are in the first generation of their family to go to university, candidates who have been in care or who have been a young carer, and candidates from a low-income background.

English language requirements for overseas students can be found here.

Studentship funding

This funding covers the tuition fees for UK students only plus a stipend of £21,805.

Dates

Deadline for applications: Friday 30^th October 2026

Provisional Interview Date: week commencing 16^th November 2026

Start Date: January 2027

Application process

1. Download the LEC Funded PhD/MSc-R Application Form and LEC Funded PhD/MSc-R Reference Form‌.
2. Complete the Application Form, renaming the document with your 'Name and Application Form' e.g., Joe Bloggs Application Form.
3. Submit the completed Application Form and a CV to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
4. Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted.
5. Rename the referee form with your ‘Name and Reference’, e.g., Joe Bloggs Reference. Send the renamed reference form to two referees and request them to forward the referee document to lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk
6. Please note only Word or pdf files are accepted. It is important that you ensure references are submitted by the closing date or as soon as possible.
7. You will receive a generic acknowledgement in receipt of successfully sending the application documents.
8. Please note that only applications submitted as per these instructions will be considered.
9. Please note that, if English is not your first language, you will be required to provide evidence of your proficiency in English. This evidence is only required if you are offered a funded PhD and is not required as part of this application process.
10. Please note that, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date then you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. If you would like feedback on your application, please contact the supervisors of the project.

Submit all applications and references to this email address: lec.pgr.applications@lancaster.ac.uk