Forest defenders found in soil
Canadian and European scientists have identified microbes that could be used to protect tree and plant ecosystems from disease and pollution.
Knowledge of how soil bacteria and fungi promote the growth and
development of plants can be used to improve the health of forest and
agro-ecosystems.
To this effect, the EU-funded 'Biocontrol and bioremediation agents
and their role in agriculture and forest health' (BIOREGENT) project
established a network of scientists to find and study potential
microbial bioremediation and biocontrol agents. Forest ecosystems,
native forests and plantations, and Euro–Siberian and Mediterranean
zones were represented in this study.
Researchers identified various useful species, including bacteria
that could potentially stimulate the growth of chickpea plants under
stressful conditions. They also found strains that could be used as
biological control agents to boost the health of plant and tree
ecosystems.
In the process, the project team advanced new protocols to identify
beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, and to measure biocontrol and
growth-enhancing activities. A stable collaboration between Canada and
the EU to develop plant growth-promoting bacteria for chemical-free
cultivation and environmental clean-up has now been established.
BIOREGENT increased our understanding of how soil microbes boost
plant growth and protect plants against pathogens and contaminants. This
new information will be used to reduce the effects of soil pollution
and dependence on pesticides and fertilisers.
published: 2015-02-27