New research may reduce the need for fertilisers in farming
New research by John Innes Centre has discovered a biological mechanism in plants that make plant roots more receptive towards beneficial soil microbes, thus reducing the need for inorganic fertilisers.
The discovery was published in weekly science journal, Nature, paving the way for more environmentally-friendly farming practices as it gives farmers the potential to reduce their use of nitrate and phosphate fertilisers, which, in excess, can harm the environment, researchers said.
The team, led by Dr. Myriam Charpentier, located a mutation in a gene in the legume medicago truncatula which reprogrammes the signalling capacity of the plant, enhancing its partnership with nitrogen fixing bacteria that supply roots with phosphorus.
This type of partnership, known as endosymbiosis, where one organism exists within another, enables legume plants to scavenge nutrients from the soil via microbes, in exchange for sugars.
However, intensive farming can often lead to nutrient deficient soils, which inhibits this process from occurring, researchers supported.
The experiments conducted during this research revealed that gene mutation in a calcium signaling pathway, were found to enhance endosymbiosis, despite these soil conditions.
The team also discovered that the same gene mutation in wheat led to greater colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in field conditions too.
According to the scientists, the findings represent an “exciting breakthrough” in the long-held ambition to use enhanced endosymbiotic partnerships, as natural alternatives to inorganic fertilizer across major crops, including cereals and legumes.
Fertilisers
Dr. Charpentier said: “Our findings hold great potential for advancing sustainable agriculture.
“It is unexpected and exciting that the mutation we have identified enhances endosymbiosis in farming conditions, because it offers the potential for sustainable crop production using endosymbionts alongside reduced inorganic fertiliser use.
“The discovery contributes broadly to research on calcium signalling while also offering a transition solution towards more sustainable production of economically important crops.
“Our discovery underscores the importance of fundamental science in addressing societal challenges.”
Previous research by Charpentier’s team has shown that the calcium signalling in root cell nuclei is essential for the establishment of root endosymbiosis.
This study decoded that key signalling mechanism, showing how calcium oscillations (movement back and forth in a regular rhythm) regulate the production of compounds called flavonoids, which can enhance endosymbiosis.
Due to its ability to increase nutrient uptake and stress resilience, root endosymbiosis is highly beneficial to plants.
As a result, there is an increasing need to develop high-yielding, disease resistance crops, in order to reduce fertiliser use in agriculture, which will serve to protect the environment as well as lower production costs for farmers, Charpentier maintained.
Combining disease resistance and climate resilience with efficient nutrient assimilation through improved association with symbiotic microorganisms, is therefore a key element of this ambition, the research showed.
Related Stories:
The post New research may reduce the need for fertilisers in farming appeared first on Agriland.ie.
February 24, 2025 at 02:04PM
https://ift.tt/dqkFijN
Rachel Birch