Unveiling the key to surmounting climate change resides beneath our soles
In the face of escalating drought conditions due to global warming, a recent study from 2021 suggests that actively supporting and biofertilizing with beneficial bacteria could be key to withstanding these challenges. The research, published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, focuses on two types of grasses: those in temperate zones and those in tropical regions.
The study, led by Klaus Nüsslein ([email protected]) and Daegan Miller ([email protected]), aimed to understand the interactions between plants and their bacteria to support sustainable agriculture. The researchers grew grasses in two greenhouses, mimicking natural climactic conditions, and divided them into groups with varying drought conditions.
Under severe drought conditions, the study found significant shifts in the microbiomes of all the grasses. There were fewer total bacteria, less diversity, and, in some cases, an increase in harmful bacteria. However, a few potentially beneficial bacteria were shown to thrive under mild drought conditions. These bacteria often belong to specific drought-tolerant or beneficial microbial groups, such as certain rhizobacteria and endophytes.
These beneficial bacteria can enhance drought resistance in agricultural vegetables by improving water uptake, nutrient availability, and stress tolerance. Research groups focusing on these bacteria could contribute to increasing drought resilience in crops through microbial inoculants or biostimulants.
Microbes play a crucial role in the health of grasses. They protect them from pathogens, provide nutrients, supply hormones, protect from UV radiation, and help manage drought. The ability of agricultural grasses to withstand drought is closely related to the health of the microbial community living on them.
The research indicates that plans to actively support and biofertilize with beneficial bacteria could be key to weathering drought conditions in the era of global warming. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential of these microbial allies.
Grasses are a significant part of agriculture, with 60% of all agriculture being grass-related. This affects various aspects of life, including food security, economics, and international development. Therefore, understanding and managing grass microbiomes could have far-reaching implications for sustainable agriculture in the future.
The DOI for the research is 10.1128/AEM.00895-21. For more information, you can contact the researchers at their respective email addresses.
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