Collaborative research: FEC: boosting tolerance to water stress in rice and wheat using mycorrhizal inoculants

The National Science Foundation Office of Integrative Activities awarded Arkansas State University $2.214 million on August 1, 2026, under the Integrative Activities program (CFDA 47.083) to develop fungal-based technology that improves drought tolerance in rice and wheat through arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculants.

Arkansas State University leads a multidisciplinary collaborative team that includes the University of Kansas, University of Nebraska, and Kansas State University. The research combines plant-fungal experimentation, plant physiology, and genomics to identify optimal AM fungal and plant genotype combinations for enhanced drought tolerance. The team will conduct field experiments manipulating water availability to test the effectiveness of assembled fungal combinations on rice and wheat yields, then evaluate farmer adoption likelihood and the socioeconomic factors influencing implementation barriers and perceived benefits. The project also supports STEM workforce development infrastructure in Arkansas, Kansas, and Nebraska through novel agro-based solutions.

Performance occurs at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, with the period of performance running from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2030. The award is classified as a project grant, with $2.214 million obligated.

Abstract

The nation's agricultural heartland experiences frequent and unpredictable reductions in rainfall that negatively affect crop yields. Reduced crop yields place the livelihoods of farmers at risk and increase the price of domestically produced food for citizens. The overarching goal of this project is to develop a novel, fungal-based technology aimed at improving drought-tolerance in rice and wheat. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (am) fungi are required by crop plants for improved yields. However, many of the most beneficial fungal species are lost from soil due to modern agricultural practices. This collaborative project brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists from three epscor jurisdictions of major agricultural-based economies. The research team will develop crop-specific consortia of am fungal species designed to maximize food production when faced with drought. This project is led by arkansas state university (a primarily undergraduate institution, PUI) in collaboration with university of kansas, university of nebraska, and kansas state university. This use-inspired award uses a multi-dimensional approach that combines plant-fungal experimentation, plant physiology, and genomics to discover the optimal am fungal ? Plant genotype combinations for improved drought tolerance. The effectiveness of assembled fungal combinations on rice and wheat yields will be tested in field experiments that manipulate water availability. The team will also evaluate farmers' willingness to adopt am fungal inoculants and evaluate the socioeconomic factors influencing adoption, perceived benefits, and barriers to implementation. This award will also bolster the stem infrastructure in arkansas, kansas, and nebraska by improving workforce development in novel, agro-based solutions to improve the lives of farmers and consumers. The research funded by this award will provide stem training and workforce development for young scientists and socio-economists, as well as educational outreach to local high schools, local citizens, and industry partners. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.