In a paper recently published in "Applied and Environmental Microbiology", American researchers confirmed that the drought resistance of agricultural grasses is directly related to the health of the microbial community living on its stems, leaves and seeds
"Microbes have played a huge role in promoting the development of world agriculture
Since 60% of agriculture is related to grass, for example, livestock that provide meat, milk, wool, leather, etc.
"Microorganisms protect grass from pathogens, provide nutrients such as nitrogen to grass, provide hormones to promote its health and growth, prevent ultraviolet radiation, and help grass cope with drought
However, global climate change has caused droughts to become more severe and last longer, which is weakening the ability of the microbial community to multiply
"The goal of this research is to analyze the interaction between plants and their host microorganisms to support truly sustainable agriculture
The new research focuses on two different types of grasses: one is temperate grassland and the other is tropical grassland
Within 1 month, the researchers counted, collected, and sequenced the DNA of microorganisms in all grasses, and compared the results
They found that when microorganisms showed signs of drought stress, plants also showed signs of drought stress
Bechtold said that their research shows that actively supporting the development of these beneficial bacteria and biological fertilizers may be the key to combating drought, which will only become more common in the era of global warming
Related paper information: https://doi.
https://doi.
org/10.
1128/AEM.
00895-21
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