Fungal Ecology Lab (Rasmus Kjøller)

The Matrix project
Ensuring sustainable food production for a still growing world population while at the same time minimize the use of pesticides in agricultural production systems is an intriguing challenge. In the Matrix project (Microbiome Assisted Triticum Resilience in X-dimension) we explore the potential of the indigenous wheat microbiome which focus on the phyllosphere to provide health and sustainable growth of wheat.

We test the microbial interactions among the microbiome constituents, the microbiome-plant interactions as well as the potential of the microbiome to combat common fungal diseases and mitigate drought stress. We also map the genomic and metabolic diversity among our isolated strains and all data are modelled in deep learning neural networks.

The end goal is to provide either management regimes or apply specifically designed and safe SynComs for improved plant health. The project is a large collaborative project with multiple partners from UCPH, DTU, NIOO (Netherlands) and North Caroline State University.

Aggregate
Soil provides multiple ecosystem services to humans of course as being the fundamental basis for agricultural food production but also by storing carbon and providing clean drinking water. Soil aggregation correlates with SOM content, aeration and soil biodiversity. A healthy and fertile soil is well aggregated. Soil aggregation is a process where soil minerals and organic matter is enmeshed into a biological web including fungal hyphae and a matrix exuded by microbes.

In Aggregate we wish to determine which soil biota are most important for the soil aggregation process across a range of different Danish soils with focus on fungal activity and hyphae. We also want to pinpoint potential troubles for the aggregation process - in specific of pesticides. The two together will provide recommendations towards managing our agricultural soil resources in a sustainable way.     

A long-term focus within our research portfolio is community-, molecular- and functional ecology of mycorrhizal fungi. Currently, recently or in the near future we study:

1) The development of ectomycorrhizal fungal abundance and community composition across forest chronosequences (stand ages)

2) Common mycelial network between facultative arbuscular mycorrhizal species of lupins and co-cultured mycorrhizal grasses

3) The influence of forestry management practices on ectomycorrhizal fungal abundance, community composition and functioning

4) Primary succession of fungal communities with emphasis on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

5) The use of eDNA and fungal sequence data for biodiversity assessments in general and as a mean to link soil samples in forensics.    

Current funding includes four projects: Biological aggregate formation towards a healthy soil – AGGREGATE (NNF to 2025),  Microbiome Assisted Triticum Resilience In X-dimensions – MATRIX (NNF, to 2025), Pesticide Effects on Agricultural Soil Ecosystems – GENPEASEII (MST, to 2026) and Above and belowground interactions in forests (DFF, to 2026).

Contact Rasmus if you are interested in BSc or MSc projects on any aspect of fungal ecology. If you have a general idea of the topic, we can develop this into an exciting project together.

 Current student’s projects includes:

• Plant protection potential of fungal foliar endophytes on wheat
• Common mycelial networks between co-cultured Lupines and other crops
• Involvement of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil aggregation
• Bd (chytridiomycosis) prevalence in different Microhabitats in the Monteverde, Costa Rica

We also have a list of specific project suggestions. Check these out on https://karriere.ku.dk/projects/denmark - search for Rasmus Kjøller.