Team Leader
Siddhartha Shankar Bhattacharyya
Texas A&M University
Soil and Crop Sciences
ss_bhattacharyya@tamu.edu
Project Type
Research
Who Can Join
Undergraduate Students
Project Description
Soil biological functioning is a key driver of nutrient cycling, organic matter stabilization, and crop productivity in semi-arid agroecosystems. In the Southern Plains of Texas, where cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) dominates production, conventional tillage (CT) systems have historically led to severe soil structure degradation, loss of organic carbon, and diminished microbial activity. Regenerative no-till (NT) systems, particularly when integrated with cover crops, offer a promising alternative by enhancing soil aggregation, conserving water, and supporting microbial biodiversity. However, the effects of these practices on the symbiotic soil fungi i.e., arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)—remain underexplored in these semi-arid environments. AMF are obligate symbionts that improve nutrient acquisition, especially phosphorus, and contribute to soil aggregation through the secretion of glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP). Thus, quantification of GRSP provides a direct measure of AMF-mediated soil aggregation and long-term carbon stabilization. In addition, extracellular enzyme activities such as β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and alkaline phosphatase are critical functional indicators of microbial-mediated C, N, and P cycling.
This project will examine how contrasting tillage regimes (NT with rye cover crop vs. CT with no cover) influence AMF community composition, glomalin content, enzymatic activities and organic matter fractions in both surface (0–15 cm) and sub-surface (15–30 cm) soil layers. By linking microbial diversity, soil carbon fractions, and aggregate stability, this research aims to identify the mechanistic pathways by which conservation management enhances soil functionality and long-term resilience in cotton systems of the Southern Plains.
Team Needs
Team leader has extensive experience in soil-plant-microbe interactions, microbial ecology, and molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing, enzyme assays, and soil biochemical analyses. The project is designed to provide undergraduate students with hands-on exposure to laboratory-based research. Team members will have the opportunity to work closely with the team leader, benefiting from mentorship, structured training, and guidance in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication.
Our team values curiosity, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving. Students will gain transferable skills that include laboratory techniques (e.g., enzyme assays for β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, and alkaline phosphatase), basic molecular methods, and data management. These skills will be directly relevant to careers in agriculture, environmental sciences, microbiology, and soil health.
We are taking only undergraduate students who are eager to learn and committed to contributing to meaningful research. While no prior lab or field experience is required, students with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, or biological sciences will find this project especially rewarding.
Participation requirements include:
✓Commitment of 5–8 hours per week during the semester, with flexibility around class schedules.
✓Dependability, strong communication skills, and an ability to work well in a team environment.
✓Enthusiasm for learning new techniques and contributing to team-based results.
Special Opportunities
✓Team members will have opportunities to present research findings through semester-end presentations or posters. Exceptional contributions may lead to co-authorship on conference abstracts or peer-reviewed publications.
✓Students are encouraged to enroll in SCSC 291 (for freshmen/sophomores) or SCSC 491 (for juniors/seniors) research credits to formally document their research efforts and gain academic credit. A typical expectation is approximately 3 hours of research work per week per credit hour, and credit hour enrollment will be discussed with each student to ensure alignment with their schedules and degree requirements.