Researchers inoculated rapeseed plants with a fungus known for its ability to deal with pests. Exploiting the relationship between beneficial fungi and crop plants may usher in a new era of agriculture, improving plant stress resistance and minimizing the ecological impact of conventional/chemical pesticides.
A study led by researchers at the University of Turku in Finland shows that a fungus that normally grows in the wild and kills insects can be successfully inoculated into oilseed rape plants and form a unique symbiotic relationship within them. The discovery is a step towards a future of sustainable agriculture, with huge potential to harness the power of beneficial fungi to improve crop protection and productivity.
The researchers used a fungus, Beauveria bassiana, which is known for its ability to deal with pests. It is often used as a biopesticide, sprayed on the leaves of crops. These biopesticides are used around the world, but their weakness is that they are easily degraded by ultraviolet light. This prompted the researchers to explore an alternative approach, in which they inoculated the fungus onto canola plants to cultivate a unique symbiotic relationship.
"We started the journey to discover the potential of Beauveriabassiana in crop protection, since it may be endogenous in plant tissues," explains lead author of the study Anne Muola, lecturer at the Biodiversity Research Unit of the University of Turku.
The meaning of symbiotic relationship
Researchers have made a breakthrough by establishing an endogenous relationship between fungi and oilseed rape plants. The growth of fungi in plant tissues triggers a significant increase in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, compounds that have a variety of plant benefits, including antioxidant properties.
"Our results show that the interaction between fungi and plants triggers a positive response, namely an increase in metabolite production, rather than a defensive response against the fungal invader," said the study's lead author Benjamin Fuchs, a faculty researcher at the University of Turku's Biodiversity Research Unit.
Flavonoids produced by the rapeseed plant, known for their antioxidant properties as well as their role in UV protection, flower pigmentation and deterring herbivores, took center stage in the findings. Next, the researchers aim to find out how much this particular fungus affects a plant's ability to withstand environmental stress, and what effect it has on crop quality.
"Our research holds great promise for sustainable agriculture. By harnessing the symbiotic relationship between beneficial microorganisms and crop plants, we are ushering in a new era of agricultural practices that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides," Fox said.
The researchers believe that cooperative relationships between organisms like the one revealed in this study offer a glimpse into the future of agriculture, where societies strive to ensure food supplies while minimizing their ecological footprint.
"With increasing awareness of the role of microorganisms in plant health, and advanced biotechnological approaches, the stage is set for innovative approaches to optimize crop stress resistance and quality in a smart and sustainable way," Fox noted.
The research is part of the EcoStack project of the European Union's Horizon Europe programme. The research article was published in the highly regarded journal Pest Management Science.