Enhancing Legume Productivity Through Microbial Symbiosis
Plants engage in symbiotic relationships with soil microorganisms to overcome nutrient limitations and tolerate biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Among the most studied are endosymbiotic interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia, which trigger nodulation in legumes.
The Challenge: Environmental Instability
Beneficial associations and synergies between microbial symbionts may be destabilized by changing environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, water deficits, and increased soil salinity. These challenges arise from the ongoing rise in the Earth’s global average temperature.
Our Approach: Harnessing Microbial Consortia from Extreme Environments
Our project focuses on isolating and selecting rhizobial and AMF strains from extreme environments. We will evaluate their application as microbial consortia to enhance legume plants’ resilience and productivity. Investigations will be conducted at the ecophysiological, molecular, and microbial community levels to understand the mechanisms involved.
Expected Outcomes: Improved Plant Adaptation and Productivity
Functional microbial strains from extreme environments are anticipated to promote legume nutrition and fitness under unfavorable conditions. They are also expected to show functional complementarity, contributing to the adaptation of cultivated legumes to abiotic stresses caused by global environmental changes.
The project aims to identify specific microbial consortia that benefit selected legume plants essential for rangeland production under challenging conditions. Applying these consortia is expected to:
- Enhance plant survival and productivity.
- Improve the nutritional status of pasture plants.
- Advance livestock nutrition and carbon sequestration in pasture soils.
Innovation and Impact
The successful implementation of this project will contribute to the development of innovative bio-based products, fostering sustainable farming practices and opening new investment opportunities.
This project is carried out within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU (Implementation body: HFRI).