RU6101 MultiStress: Concurrent multiple abiotic and biotic stress interactions in maize: impacts and mechanisms - 2026 to 2030

Plant-stress interactions are commonly subdivided into abiotic and biotic stresses and studied separately. Under field conditions, these stress interactions are usually multiple and interactive in character. To date, the mechanisms determining interactions between abiotic and biotic stresses and their effects on crop performance are unknown for most crops and stress combinations. The research unit „MultiStress“ attempts to close this research gap by investigating the impact of concurrent multiple abiotic (nitrogen deficiency, drought) and biotic (stem borer, Setosphaeria turcica) on growth, yield and quality of maize. Impacts under temperate climate conditions near Goettingen will be compared to impacts at a tropical site in Kenya. In addition to a complex field experiment at both sites the research unit is using process based modeling, sensing and microbiological methods.

The division Agronomy is contributing to 3 of the 6 sub-projects.
In SP 2 (Dr. Ejaz) a hyperspectral imaging pipeline integrated with physiological and biochemical measurements will be established for non-invasive detection and classification of plant responses to multiple stresses. Machine learning algorithms will be applied to associate specific spectral patterns with physiological and molecular stress responses.
In SP 4 (Prof. Dr. Siebert) a mechanistic, processbased crop-insect interaction model will be developed. This model will integrate experimental data to simulate maize growth, stem borer development, and yield under variable stress regimes. The model builds upon existing platforms and aims to bridge statistical and physiological modeling approaches to predict genotype-specific responses.
SP 6 (Prof. Dr. Siebert) will integrate the modeling solutions developed by the research unit to reproduce and explain the combined effects of abiotic and biotic stress factors. This enhanced model, will be referred to as the ‘MultiStress model’, will explicitly link genetic information of different genotypes to ecophysiological parameters to quantify genotype performance under variable abiotic and biotic stress conditions.

Persons in charge:
Dr. Irsa Ejaz
Doktorand(in) 1 (NN)
Doktorand(in) 2 (NN)
Christiane Münter
Malte Weller
Prof. Dr. Stefan Siebert

Project duration:
1st of April 2026 to 31st of March 2030

Funding:
DFG

Website:
under development

Project partners at University of Goettingen:
Division Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling (project coordination)
Division Agricultural Entomology
Division Grassland Science
Division Crop Plant Genetics
Division Plant Pathology and Plant Protection
Division Quality and Sensory of Plant Products
Department for Plant Biochemistry

External project partners:
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
AGRA Nairobi, Kenya
University of Milano, Italy
CIMMYT
IPK Gatersleben
University of Hohenheim
University of Cologne
Technical University of Munich
University of Tuebingen