Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, North Atlantic Coast CESU | G20AS00110

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center funding opportunity offered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network for the North Atlantic Coast. It supports research and development aimed at controlling the invasive common reed, Phragmites australis, using microbiome-based, non-toxic treatment concepts rather than traditional herbicides.

Which agency is offering the award?

The award is issued by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through the USGS Great Lakes Science Center.

What problem is the project trying to solve?

The project targets invasive Phragmites australis, which can grow aggressively and outcompete native vegetation. The research aims to reduce the plant's competitive advantage by disrupting the internal microbial partners (endophytes) and soil signaling processes that support its growth.

How is this approach different from traditional herbicide-based control?

Instead of directly poisoning the plant with toxic herbicides, the approach is described as environmentally friendly and non-toxic. It attempts to undermine the symbiotic plant-microbe relationships that help Phragmites thrive, potentially leading to plant stress, reduced vigor, and mortality.

What is the central scientific idea behind the proposed work?

The central idea is to manipulate the plant's microbiome and the soil signaling processes that support root-microbe cooperation. By disrupting those relationships, the project seeks to reduce Phragmites growth and competitiveness and support restoration of native vegetation.

What are endophytes in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, endophytes refer to microbial partners that live within plant tissues and can contribute to plant performance. The project specifically aims to target these internal microbial partners to weaken Phragmites.

What are the main research components described in the opportunity?

The research strategy is organized into three connected components: (1) using sugars and organic acids with non-toxic adjuvants to disrupt plant-microbe nutrient balance and "turn the microbiome against the plant," (2) interfering with belowground signaling and root-zone symbiosis to reduce supportive microbial partnerships, and (3) accelerating mortality and decomposition of standing dead biomass by applying fungal endophyte and saprophyte suspensions after initial treatment.

What does "turn the microbiome against the plant" mean here?

It refers to stimulating microbial growth and activity in a way that increases microbial demand for nitrogen and other nutrients, potentially triggering a nutrient crash for the host plant. The expected result is increased plant stress, reduced vigor, and possibly plant death.

What treatments are being considered in the first component?

The first component involves applying sugars and organic acids together with non-toxic adjuvants such as oils and surfactants. The adjuvants are intended to weaken or penetrate the plant's waxy cuticle barrier to improve uptake and contact.

Why are oils and surfactants mentioned?

They are described as non-toxic adjuvants intended to help weaken or penetrate the waxy cuticle barrier of Phragmites, improving contact and uptake of the treatment materials.

Why are sugars and organic acids used?

The description indicates the sugars are intended to overload plant-microbe nutrient balance, particularly carbon-to-nitrogen dynamics, which may stimulate microbial growth and activity aboveground and belowground. Organic acids are included as part of the treatment approach described.

How is nitrogen involved in the proposed mechanism?

As microbial activity increases, endophytes are expected to consume nitrogen and other nutrients more aggressively. This may reduce nutrient availability to the plant and contribute to plant stress and decline.

What is the second component focused on?

The second component targets belowground plant-microbe communication and symbiosis by interfering with signaling in the root zone. Carbohydrates are believed to disrupt signaling processes that normally help roots establish beneficial microbial relationships.

How do aboveground applications affect the soil in this approach?

The opportunity notes that liquid carbohydrates applied to aboveground biomass are expected to reach the soil. Once in the soil, they may alter microbial behavior and interrupt the normal development of root-associated symbioses.

What outcome is expected from disrupting root-zone signaling?

The intended outcome is reduced establishment of supportive microbial partnerships, leading to diminished growth and competitive ability of Phragmites.

What is the purpose of the third component?

The third component is an acceleration step intended to increase plant mortality and speed up decomposition of standing dead biomass. It involves testing spray applications of fungal endophyte and saprophyte suspensions on plants that have already received the carbohydrate/adjuvant treatment.

What kinds of fungi are mentioned for the acceleration step?

The description references fungal endophyte and saprophyte suspensions. These fungi are described as being able to colonize plant tissues and break down dead or dying material.

Why is faster decomposition considered beneficial?

Faster reduction of dead biomass is presented as a practical restoration benefit because it may open space and improve site conditions for the return and establishment of native vegetation after treatment.

What type of award is this?

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which indicates substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal partner during the project rather than a hands-off grant model.

How much funding is available?

The opportunity anticipates a single award with a maximum funding level (award ceiling) of $156,000.

How many awards are expected?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 15.808.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G20AS00110.

What is the program category or area?

The opportunity is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posting date listed is June 30, 2020, and the original application closing date is July 22, 2020.

Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the expectation that applicants consult the opportunity's eligibility details for the specific categories allowed under the CESU framework.

What does CESU involvement imply for applicants?

The opportunity is offered under the CESU network for the North Atlantic Coast, and eligibility is tied to CESU framework details. The description indicates applicants should consult the opportunity's eligibility details for the specific eligible categories under that framework.

How is this project positioned in terms of broader efforts?

It is presented as part of a broader, multi-agency federal-academic agenda focused on microbial symbiosis and Phragmites management, aiming to develop innovative, ecologically based control strategies that can reduce invasive dominance and support restoration of native plant communities.

Is this opportunity specifically about restoring native vegetation?

The primary focus is controlling invasive Phragmites through microbiome disruption, and restoration benefits are described as a practical outcome, particularly through faster decomposition that may improve conditions for native vegetation to return and establish.

Does the description claim the treatment is non-toxic?

Yes. The opportunity describes the approach as environmentally friendly and non-toxic, contrasting it with traditional toxic herbicides.

What is the intended chain of effects from the carbohydrate/adjuvant treatment?

The description outlines a sequence where sugars and organic acids (helped by adjuvants) increase microbial activity, shift carbon-to-nitrogen dynamics, drive more aggressive microbial nutrient consumption, and potentially cause a nutrient crash for the plant that results in stress, reduced vigor, and possibly plant death.

What is meant by "soil signaling processes" in this opportunity?

It refers to the signaling in the root zone that supports the establishment of beneficial root-microbe relationships. The project aims to interfere with these processes to weaken root-associated symbioses that support Phragmites.