Challenge Australian horticultural crops, both annual and perennial, face yield limitations due to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Current approaches to enhance productivity often overlook the role of crop-associated microbiomes, which can influence plant health, stress tolerance, and overall yield.
Solution This project aims to develop new microbiome-based products by analysing the microbial communities associated with crops throughout their lifecycle from seed to harvest. By understanding how microbiomes shift under different stress conditions, the research will identify microorganism combinations linked to increased stress tolerance and improved plant performance. These beneficial microbiomes will then be formulated into commercial products designed to enhance crop yield and profitability.
Impact The resulting products will provide innovative, biologically-driven tools to support more resilient and productive horticultural systems in Australia. By targeting stress adaptation through the microbiome, this project advances sustainable agriculture and delivers measurable gains in crop yield, profitability, and environmental resilience.
