By Scout Nelson
University of Kansas (KU) have received a $1.9 million National Science Foundation grant to study how beneficial soil fungi can improve drought tolerance in wheat and rice. The four-year effort is part of a larger multi-university project aimed at strengthening crop resilience and reducing reliance on irrigation.
The KU research team is led by Jim Bever, Foundation Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research. Researchers will investigate whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can help crops better withstand drought stress.
"Soil microbes can have a big influence on crop resilience to drought, and this project will test benefits of an important group of soil fungi that associate with plant roots," said Bever.
A key part of the project involves the use of fungal samples from INVAM, the world's largest collection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, maintained at KU. The university will supply fungal inocula for the entire four-institution collaboration.
Researchers will also evaluate drought responses in wheat varieties and Kernza, the world's first commercially available perennial grain. The project brings together scientists from KU, Kansas State University, Arkansas State University, and the University of Nebraska.
In addition to biological research, the study includes a social science component examining factors that influence agricultural decision-making. Paul Stock, KU associate professor of sociology and environmental studies, will lead interviews and discussions with farmers and agricultural stakeholders across Kansas, Nebraska, and Arkansas.
"Farmers don't make decisions in a vacuum," said Stock. "When considering the potential impacts of perennial grains for our future food systems, we need to understand the relationships and contexts that farmers operate in."
The grant will also support STEM education, workforce development, and outreach activities involving students, local communities, and industry partners. Researchers believe the project will advance sustainable agriculture while helping farmers improve crop resilience and long-term productivity.
The initiative is one of only eight projects selected nationwide through the National Science Foundation's FY26 Focused EPSCoR Collaborations program, highlighting KU's role in developing science-based solutions to agricultural challenges.
Photo Credit: university-of-kansas
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Wheat, Education, Sustainable Agriculture