HIGHLY POROUS NANOCARRIERS FOR OSMOLYTE DELIVERY AND DROUGHT MITIGATION IN WHEAT AND RYEGRASS

This research aims to improve abiotic stress response in two grasses: wheat (Triticum aestivum), and a perrenial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), through exogenous osmolyte (glycine betaine) delivery via highly porous silica nanocarriers capped with Pluronic F68.Objective-1. (a) Prepare and characterize nanocarriers for osmolyte (glycine betaine) delivery and utilization by wheat and ryegrass (b) Characterize glycine betaine encapsulation and release behaviorObjective-2. Assess the nano-formulations benefit to plant survival and recovery following drought stress.For both objectives, photosynthesis efficiency, nutrient acquisition, plant mass and morphology will be measured to understand mechanisms by which plant vigor (in drought-tolerant cultivars) is supported before, during, and after droughting.