Know more

PhD student Research team: EcoPEPS e-mail: mohamed.kante@unicaen.fr Tel: +33(0)2 31 56 56 59 Location: CAMPUS 1, Building J3, Door IR 059 Address: Université de Caen Normandie, CS 14032, Esplanade de la paix, 14032 CAEN CEDEX 5, France

Research activities

PhD: impact of rhizodeposition of grain legumes and forage legumes on soil N, C, P dynamics and soil microbial communities (RhizoComm).

In order to achieve sustainable production, the optimization of natural resources has been a key issue in agricultural systems for several years in order to provide ecosystem services that are beneficial to humans and their environment. The introduction of legumes in cropping systems to respond partly to these issues is often cited as one of the solutions (Meena and Lal, 2018). Indeed, the latter would contribute to enhancing food security and ecosystem services (Schneider and Huyghe, 2015). Among the multiple benefits of legumes for agricultural systems, the particular nitrogen flux of these plants allows enrichment of the soil with N profitable for other plants through symbiotic N2 fixation (Fustec et al., 2010; Guinet et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2020). In addition to providing N, legumes affect P availability and contribute to C supply in the soil (Bais et al., 2006; Wichern et al., 2007).  These changes in soil C, N, P resources are induced through rhizodeposition, which is a key process by which plants release different types of compounds into the soil (Uren, 2001). This rhizodeposition occurs through different pathways: (1) senescence, death, and decomposition of roots and nodules; (2) exudation of soluble compounds from roots; (3) release from root border cells; and (4) secretion of mucilage (Uren, 2001).

My PhD is organized around two topics, involving two research units:

• Within the UMR-EVA, the research will be carried out on the evaluation of the rhizodeposition of N and C in grain legumes (pea and faba bean) and forage legumes (white clover and crimson clover) on the same soil sample; moreover, the factors determining this rhizodeposition will be evaluated.
• In the unit AGHYLE UP 2018.C10 UniLaSalle-Rouen, the study will focus on the impact of this rhizodeposition on the abundance, diversity and activities of soil microbial communities and in return the impact of these changes on plant growth, in order to advance in the understanding of the feedback cycle of legume/microorganism interactions.

Supervisor(s): Jean-Bernard Cliquet (UMR INRA-UNICAEN 950 EVA, Univ. Caen Normandie) ; Isabelle Trinsoutrot-Gattin (AGHYLE-UniLaSalle Rouen) & Wassila Riah-Anglet (AGHYLE-UniLaSalle Rouen).

Publications

• Kanté M, Lemauviel-Lavenant S, Cliquet J-B. 2021. Remediation of atmospheric sulfur and ammonia by wetland plants: development of a study method. International Journal of Phytoremediation. 24(4):373–383. https://doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2021.1949264
• Kanté M, Riah-Anglet W, Cliquet J-B, Trinsoutrot-Gattin I. 2021. Soil Enzyme Activity and Stoichiometry: Linking Soil Microorganism Resource Requirement and Legume Carbon Rhizodeposition. Agronomy. 11(11):2131. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112131
• Kante M, Riah-Anglet W, Trinsoutrot-Gattin I, Cliquet JB, 2023. Rhizodeposition through root senescence and root exudation of atmospheric C and N is controlled by traits indicative of resource acquisition and root development. Journal of Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.14107

Student supervision

Kouakou Fra Éric A. 2021 (Master 1). Study of the relationships between carbon and soluble nitrogen contents and rhizodeposition in faba bean, pea, white clover and crimson clover.

Degrees

• 2016-2018: Master Biosciences in Plant Sciences Eco production and Bio valorization; University of Caen Normandy, Caen (France)
• 2013-2016: Biology degree (Plant biology option); University of Caen Normandy, Caen (France)
• 2010 – 2013: High school degree in life and earth sciences; Lycée la Chaîne grise, Bamako (Mali)