Scaling up from plant-plant interactions to field and farm
Soilborne pathogens and microbial interactions in mixed cropping systems
Researcher
Margherita Berri
PhD candidate
Wageningen University & Research
I earned my bachelor's degree in Agricultural Sciences at the University of Milan, where I developed a keen interest in crop techniques, agronomy and disease management. During my master's in Plant Sciences at Wageningen University, and also thanks to my thesis at the Phytopathology Laboratory, I deepened my interest in phytopathology, along with related fields such as biological control and soil suppressiveness. Becoming part of CropMix is a great opportunity to finally combine my passion for microorganisms with a broader agricultural perspective. I am glad to work within a dense community of researchers and PhD students who are combining their knowledge to collectively understand the intricate ecological and social interactions that emerge from intercropping.
Research project
Project: 1.1.2. Soilborne pathogens and microbial interactions in mixed cropping systems
In my research, I want to investigate how crop diversity in time and space affects the risk of soil-borne disease outbreaks and soil functional biodiversity. I also aim to include the study of roots, examining how different root traits and exudates can influence the presence of diverse microbial communities. Beyond the acquisition of scientific knowledge, I hope that my project will be able to translate it into practical insights to support a more ecology-based agriculture.
Among the main goals of my research, there are the aims of identifying crop combinations and belowground plant traits that are beneficial for soil-borne disease suppression and to assess the impact of crop rotations on pathogen presence in the field.
Related projects
- Soil food web and nutrient cycling > Franklin Harris
- Modelling key belowground ecological processes in crop mixtures > Kostas Kypros
Results and news
Update November 2024
Roots are home to a vast number of microorganisms that interact with the plant and the soil, forming what is known as a holobiont — a complex biological entity where the plant and its microbial communities function together as one. It is truly mind-blowing to think that in only one gram of soil around roots there could be up to 10 billion microorganisms of possibly thousands of different species, making it a surprisingly complex world within a tiny space.
Currently, in my research, I am exploring how plant diversity affects the microbial communities in the roots. By releasing specific root exudates – chemicals that attract or deter certain microbes – plants actively shape their root microbiome composition. Since different plant species host different microbial communities, more diverse cropping systems, like strip cropping, may lead to a more diverse belowground microbiome.
Mycorrhizal fungi are a class of beneficial microorganisms which colonize the roots of the majority of plants. These fungi are well-known for helping plants with nutrient uptake, but they also play an important role in protecting plants from pathogens. Research has shown that interspecific interactions in strip cropping can enhance the activity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), possibly improving their protective effects against pathogens. [1] [2]
To investigate this, I am using different methods. One technique is root staining, where I apply an ink- vinegar solution to the roots. This staining selectively highlights AMF, making it possible to see key fungal structures, like hyphae, arbuscules, and vesicles, under the microscope. This part of the work is being carried out in the Soil Biology Lab, where I prepare and examine the stained roots. Additionally, I am currently extracting DNA from the roots for DNA sequencing to analyze the fungal community. For this, I am working at the NIOO (Netherlands Institute of Ecology). I will also be supported by Enza Zaden, the parent company of Vitalis, partner in CropMix. Enza wil assist with the sequencing process and fund the sequencing analyses.
Together, these methods will help me create a comprehensive picture of the fungal diversity in roots and how it changes between strip cropping and monoculture systems. Stay tuned to see what this research will reveal about the hidden world of belowground microbes in strip cropping!
References
[1] Guzman, A., Montes, M., Hutchins, L., DeLaCerda, G., Yang, P., Kakouridis, A., … & Kremen, C. (2021). Crop diversity enriches arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in an intensive agricultural landscape. New Phytologist, 231(1), 447-459.
[2] Trinchera, A., Migliore, M., Warren Raffa, D., Ommeslag, S., Debode, J., Shanmugam, S., … & Willekens, K. (2022). Can multi-cropping affect soil microbial stoichiometry and functional diversity, decreasing potential soil-borne pathogens? A study on European organic vegetable cropping systems. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 952910
Researchers involved
- Liesje Mommer
- Jasper van Ruijven
- Gerlinde B. de Deyn
- Marie J. Zwetsloot
Related research
Other research from work package 1
Our work packages
This work package focuses on above-ground and below-ground interactions. We look at the interactions between plants, crops, insects and other species living in the field and the differences between strip cropping and monocultures.
Work package 2 looks at the economic feasibility of investments for farmers to switch to more crop-diverse systems, such as strip farming, and what factors influence their willingness to engage in ecologically sound farming.
We want to identify different transition pathways applicable to different situations. Think of farmers with wide strips and long value chains, but also farmers with narrow strips marketing in a short chain. Or perhaps very different cropping systems that use crop diversity, such as agroforestry. We also look at what consumers and other stakeholders think and their role in the transition to more sustainable agriculture.
