In the heart of Victoria, Australia, a team of researchers led by Shenali Subodha Herath Dissanayakalage from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action at Agriculture Victoria is unlocking the secrets of seed microbiomes to boost plant growth and resilience. Their recent study, published in the journal *Microorganisms* (translated to English), explores the potential of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) derived from wild relatives of lucerne (Medicago sativa) to enhance plant establishment and early growth.
The research team focused on the seed-associated microbiomes of two wild relatives of lucerne: *Medicago laciniata*, known for its drought resilience, and *Medicago littoralis*, which is salt-tolerant. They constructed SynComs from bacteria isolated from these wild relatives and tested their effects on lucerne growth under different conditions.
The findings are promising. “Inoculation with these SynComs enhanced germination and early growth of lucerne, with the ‘Mix’ SynCom, which combined strains from both wild relatives, producing the strongest gains,” explains Dissanayakalage. Microbiome profiling at 24 days post-inoculation revealed treatment-specific restructuring of the plant microbiome, with an enrichment of beneficial taxa and microbial coalescence.
While the early-stage benefits diminished at later stages, and drought ultimately reduced biomass across all treatments, the study demonstrates that SynComs derived from crop wild relatives can enhance lucerne establishment and early growth while restructuring host microbiomes. This research provides a framework for seed-applied microbial solutions in sustainable agriculture.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. As the world seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, the development of sustainable and resilient crops is crucial. By enhancing plant growth and resilience, these SynComs could contribute to the production of more sustainable biomass for energy generation.
Moreover, the use of SynComs could reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, further enhancing the sustainability of bioenergy crops. “This research opens up new avenues for the development of seed-applied microbial solutions that can enhance plant establishment and early growth, contributing to more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems,” says Dissanayakalage.
The study also highlights the importance of crop wild relatives as a source of beneficial microbes. As such, the conservation and utilization of these wild relatives could be key to the development of more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
In the future, we may see SynComs tailored to specific crops and environmental conditions, enhancing plant growth and resilience while reducing the need for chemical inputs. This could revolutionize the way we grow crops, making agriculture more sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable energy, this research offers a glimmer of hope. By harnessing the power of seed microbiomes, we can enhance plant growth and resilience, contributing to a more sustainable future.