Upland soils play an important role in climate regulation by acting as both sinks and sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄). Compared with natural upland ecosystems, agricultural soils often exhibit higher “leakiness” owing to intensive management practices such as high nitrogen inputs and frequent soil disturbances. These practices can reduce the CH₄ sink capacity while enhancing N₂O emissions. In a previous chapter of our work, we use extensive observational data to identify pathways through which agricultural practices may affect methane oxidation and nitrification. This student project will take an experimental approach to validate and extend those findings, linking management to soil GHG “leakiness” and the responsible microbial communities.

The seed microbiome has gained increasing interest since it influences key aspects of plant life, including germination, seedling vigour, nutrient uptake, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the microbial functions and molecular mechanisms that link seed-associated microbes to seed and plant performance remain largely unknown.