MetaFun · Metatranscriptomics to discover root microbiome functions activated during recognition of stressed and non-stressed plants (MetaFun)

Metatranscriptomics to discover root microbiome functions activated during recognition of stressed and non-stressed plants (MetaFun)

What is the problem/issue being addressed? The problem addressed by the MetaFun project is the need to enhance our understanding of the plant microbiome's role in supporting disease resistance. Specifically, the project aimed to identify critical microorganisms and microbial molecular functions that are enriched during plant stress conditions. This research seeks to uncover the mechanisms underlying plant-microbiome interactions and how they can be harnessed to improve disease resilience in plants, ultimately contributing to agricultural sustainability. Why is it important for society? This project is important for society for several reasons. Agriculture plays a vital role in providing food for the global population, and plant diseases can lead to significant crop losses, affecting food security and economic stability. By improving our understanding of plant-microbiome interactions and disease resistance, MetaFun has the potential to lead to more sustainable agricultural practices and increased crop yields. Additionally, the project has broader implications for environmental and ecological sustainability, as it may offer insights into how microorganisms can be leveraged to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, thus benefiting the environment and human health. What are the overall objectives? The core objective of MetaFun was to advance our comprehension of the plant microbiome's role in supporting disease resistance. This was achieved by identifying critical microorganisms and microbial molecular functions enriched during plant stress conditions. The project sought to answer two main scientific questions: WP1: What are the microbial functions involved in the early stages of plant root exudate recognition and later during colonization of the rhizosphere niche? WP2: What are the microbial functions activated after the recognition of root exudates of stressed plants, and which microbial functions elicited by root exudates of stressed plants occur simultaneously, indicating cooperation between microbes within a community? Conclusions: Through its focused research, MetaFun successfully pinpointed essential microorganisms and microbial molecular functions that become enriched when a plant is resistant to stress conditions. This achievement has not only expanded our comprehension of plant-microbiome dynamics but could also possibly lead to the development of innovative strategies to bolster disease resistance in plants—a step with considerable potential to transform agricultural sustainability.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз