In the ongoing battle against crop diseases, a new study published in the journal *Environmental Microbiome* (translated to English as “Environmental Microbiome”) sheds light on how different pea genotypes can influence their root microbiomes to enhance resistance against soil-borne pathogens. This research, led by Valentin Gfeller from the Plant Breeding Department at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), could have significant implications for the agricultural sector, particularly in the realm of resistance breeding and sustainable crop production.
Plants are constantly under threat from pathogens, which can lead to substantial yield losses. The aggressiveness of these pathogens and the resulting damage often depend on the host-associated microbiome. This microbiome, a complex community of microorganisms living in and around the plant, can be shaped by the plant’s genetics to improve resistance. However, how different crop genotypes modulate their microbiota when challenged by a complex of pathogens has remained largely unknown—until now.
Gfeller and his team investigated how pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes shape their root microbiota upon challenge by soil-borne pathogens and how this relates to a genotype’s resistance. Building on the phenotyping efforts of 252 pea genotypes grown in naturally infested soil, the researchers characterized root fungi and bacteria using ITS region and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, respectively.
The study revealed that pea genotype markedly affected both fungal and bacterial community composition. These genotype-specific microbiota were associated with root rot resistance. For instance, genotype resistance was correlated with root fungal community composition, explaining 19% of the variance. “This indicates that the plant’s genetic makeup plays a crucial role in determining the composition of its associated microbiome, which in turn can influence its resistance to diseases,” Gfeller explained.
The research also identified several key microbes that showed a high relative abundance, heritability, connectedness with other microbes, and correlation with plant resistance. These findings highlight the importance of crop genotype-specific root microbiota under root rot stress and the potential of the plant to shape its associated microbiota as a second line of defense.
The implications of this research are profound for the agricultural sector. By understanding how different pea genotypes influence their root microbiomes, breeders can develop more resistant crop varieties. This could lead to reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, promoting more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices.
“Our findings open up new avenues for resistance breeding,” Gfeller noted. “By selecting for genotypes that foster beneficial microbiomes, we can enhance crop resistance to diseases, ultimately improving yield and sustainability.”
This study not only advances our understanding of plant-microbe interactions but also paves the way for innovative breeding strategies. As the agricultural sector continues to face challenges from climate change and increasing pathogen pressures, leveraging the power of the plant microbiome could be a game-changer. The research published in *Environmental Microbiome* provides a crucial step forward in this direction, offering hope for more resilient and productive crops in the future.