Media coverageOctober, 2022
Murdoch scientists are leading a project that explores how particular combinations of microbes can boost the growth of some of the country’s most valuable fruit and vegetable crops.
The $1.4 million project, led by Associate Professor Kirsty Bayliss, aims to identify the microbes that influence the growth of potatoes, tomatoes and avocadoes and harness them to grow more productive crops in the future.
“Our goal is to identify a range of microbes associated with increased production and yield, especially in the face of environmental and disease stresses,” said Dr Bayliss.
“We will then take those microbes most closely associated with healthy crops and use them to increase the crop yield and profitability for Australian growers. Just like the gut microbiome being important for human health, a plant microbiome is needed for a healthy plant”.
A microbiome is the collective term for a group of microorganisms in a particular environment. This research will identify the core microbiomes associated with potato, tomato and avocado plants that contribute to their growth, from seed to harvest.
The team will assess how the microbiomes of the plants change when they are exposed to different stresses.
“We’ll examine the microbiomes of the crops and see how they change for plants grown under optimal conditions compared to plants exposed to biotic stress, like pests and diseases, and abiotic stress, like nutrient uptake and salinity,” Dr Bayliss explained.