‘Soil probiotics’ promise bigger, healthier crops, but there’s a downside

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Frew, Adam. 2018. "‘Soil probiotics’ promise bigger, healthier crops, but there’s a downside." The Conversation. 23 October 2018, pp. 1-9.
Article Title

‘Soil probiotics’ promise bigger, healthier crops, but there’s a downside

Article CategoryBlog
Authors
AuthorFrew, Adam
Publication TitleThe Conversation
Journal Citation23 October 2018, pp. 1-9
Number of Pages9
Year2018
Place of PublicationAustralia
Web Address (URL)https://theconversation.com/soil-probiotics-promise-bigger-healthier-crops-but-theres-a-downside-103236
Abstract

More than half the world’s plant-derived energy intake comes from just three crops: rice, wheat and maize. These crops, like most land plants, live in an evolutionarily ancient partnership with a certain type of fungus, called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

These fungi penetrate plants’ roots, even entering the root cells themselves. In a win-win relationship, the fungi provide the plants with crucial nutrients and the
plant provides the fungi with sugar.

By helping plants take up nutrients from the soil, these fungi can enhance crop yields, increase pest resistance, and reduce the need for fertiliser. So it’s hardly surprising that there has been a long-held interest in harnessing these soil-dwelling fungi for agriculture.

But our research shows that in some cases these fungi can harm crops instead of helping them. This means we need to proceed with caution in pursuing the benefits of using these fungi as fertilisers.

Keywordsarbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020410203. Ecosystem function
410603. Soil biology
310703. Microbial ecology
Byline AffiliationsCharles Sturt University
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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