Researchers have discovered a biological mechanism that makes plant roots more welcoming to beneficial soil microbes.
Researchers have discovered a biological mechanism that makes plant roots more welcoming to beneficial soil microbes.
This discovery by John Innes Centre researchers paves the way for more environmentally-friendly farming practices, potentially allowing farmers to use less fertiliser.
Production of most major crops relies on nitrate and phosphate fertilisers, but excessive fertiliser use harms the environment.
If we could use mutually beneficial relationships between plant roots and soil microbes to enhance nutrient uptake, then we could potentially reduce use of inorganic fertilisers.
Read more at John Innes Centre
Image: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associate with plant roots (Credit: Edmund Bridge)
