A recent publication in the journal Microbiome unveiled a promising approach to reducing our dependence on polluting chemical fertilizers by optimizing the natural interaction between plants and bacteria.
As the world population continues to grow and agricultural yields are threatened by climate change, scientists are looking for sustainable ways to boost plant growth.
Plant-bacteria symbiosis, a lever for sustainable agriculture?
Led by researchers from the Universities of Warwick and Justus Liebig (Germany), this study proposes a new method to improve plant nutrient uptake and growth, which could ultimately reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. The latter pose a major environmental risk if they enter water bodies or contribute to the release of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, when they decompose in the soil.
The research team studied the effectiveness of the relationships between plants and bacteria, so-called symbiosis or knot formation, while examining their effects on other microorganisms present in the soil. Legumes, like peas and beans, have symbiotic relationships with bacteria called rhizobia, which fix nitrogen from the air and provide nutrients to plants.
This interaction allows legumes to absorb nutrients from the soil, promoting their growth and resilience to stress without overly relying on chemical fertilizers. However, the result of this symbiotic effectiveness depends on the ability of the bacteria to fix nitrogen and the type of soil.
Evaluation of the potential of organic fertilizers
With funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), scientists have studied the impact of different symbiotic efficiencies on plant growth, nutrition and soil microorganisms, paving the way for possible biofertilizer applications.
For this study, they used a legume species that is able to interact with different nitrogen-fixing bacteria in different soil types found in agricultural environments.
Using different strains of bacteria, the team measured plant responses, mineral levels, and recorded bacterial and fungal communities in different locations—in the soil, on the root surface, and inside the root.
By analyzing this comprehensive dataset, they gained valuable insights into the implications of symbiotic effectiveness.
The importance of symbiosis for plant growth
Professor Patrick Schäfer from Justus Liebig University Giessen has highlighted the importance of symbiosis with a complex community of microorganisms, the so-called microbiome, for growth and plant health. The study showed that soil nutrient status affects the symbiosis between beneficial rhizobia and legumes, where fixation of atmospheric nitrogen occurred in exchange for nutrients.
dr Beatriz Lagunas, co-author of the study from the University of Warwick School of Life Sciences, pointed out that symbiosis with different bacterial species can alter the entire root microbiome. Researchers have identified microbial strains within this community that may serve as such organic fertilizer be beneficial in the future.
Implications and future developments
Professor Miriam Gifford, also from the University of Warwick’s School of Life Sciences, stressed the major impact of this research in ensuring the production of key legumes such as beans and peas. The team plans to further study the effects of microbes on different plant species to assess their growth and stress resistance.
Together with agricultural companies, they want to research the use of these microbes as organic fertilizers and thus reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and minimize their impact on the environment.
synthetic
It is undeniable that the study makes a significant contribution to understanding the symbiosis between plants and bacteria and to researching sustainable methods of stimulating plant growth. This research has the potential to offer a promising alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers with an environmentally friendly approach.
For better understanding
What is a plant-bacterial symbiosis?
Plant-bacteria symbiosis is a beneficial relationship that develops between certain plants and bacteria. Plants harbor bacteria by providing them with habitat and nutrients, while bacteria help the plant absorb important nutrients from the air or soil, thus promoting its growth.
What are the effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment?
Chemical fertilizers can have a significant negative impact on the environment. When they enter water bodies, they can cause harmful algal blooms and affect aquatic life. Because they break down in the soil, they can also contribute to the release of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.
What is an organic fertilizer?
A biofertilizer is a type of fertilizer that uses living organisms to enrich the soil with essential nutrients. They are often viewed as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers.
[ Rédaction ]