Legume cultivation in Switzerland is of high importance to cover the increasing demand for high-quality and domestic plant-based protein for food and feed and to improve soil nutrition through biological nitrogen fixation. However, long crop rotation breaks between legumes, like pea, are currently necessary to prevent the accumulation of soil-borne pathogens, which leads to severe root rot (soil fatigue).
Even though some pea genotypes perform better than others under root rot stress, the resistance obtained through breeding is not sufficient. Novel approaches like microbiome-mediated resistance might show more success in alleviating root rot. Exploring 252 pea lines with high variation in root rot resistance, we previously identified resistance-associated microbes.
The aim of the current work is to isolate these fungal and bacterial candidates for microbiome-mediated resistance and test their disease-suppressive potential on the inoculated plant and the next pea plant through plant-soil feedback. The project partners combine their expertise in resistance breeding, microbiome research, plant-microbe interaction, and formulation of microbials to deliver a product prototype compliant with organic regulation.
The targeted application of microbial inocula is expected to increase yields and income security for Swiss farmers and prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil-borne pathogens, allowing shorter crop rotation breaks. This will increase the domestic supply of high-quality protein for food and feed.
Project manager
