Amita Kaundel, a 2023 Utah Specialty Crop Grant recipient and professor at Utah State University, along with her team, is conducting research to improve the health of native plants and promote water-efficient farming and landscaping.
In this project, Amita and her team are working to isolate nitrogen-fixing actinobacteria, Frankia, from the root nodules of two native plants: Ceanothus velutinus (snowbrush ceanothus) and Shepherdia utahensis ‘Torrey’ (hybrid buffaloberry). These plants are not only ideal for water-efficient landscaping but also provide a sustainable solution by fixing nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Through their research, the team has been isolating Frankia from the nodules using innovative techniques like filtration and ultracentrifugation. While Frankia is challenging to culture due to its slow growth and specific nutrient needs, they’re refining their methods and testing new media to identify the best strains for these plants.
Learn more about the Utah Specialty Crop Block Grant program: https://ag.utah.gov/specialty-crop-block-grant-program/