AI Insight
Researchers from EMBRAPA and the University of São Paulo have identified three bacteria from ancestral wheat microbiomes that can suppress a soil-borne fungal pathogen responsible for root rot in wheat. The bacteria demonstrate protective effects against this pathogen, which is a significant threat to wheat cultivation. This discovery was published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes and represents a step toward understanding beneficial plant-microbe interactions.
Why it matters
The findings could lead to the development of biological inoculants as an alternative or complement to chemical fungicides in wheat agriculture. This approach may offer more sustainable crop protection methods and potentially reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides while improving wheat health and yields.
Understand the Science
In the journal npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, researchers from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) and the University of São Paulo (USP) describe the role of three bacteria in suppressing a soil-borne wheat pathogen that causes root rot. The study paves the way for the development of inoculants that can be used in agriculture.
Source: Bacteria from ancestral wheat microbiomes help protect plants against root rot fungus