Strigolactone action in the Rhizosphere

Figure 1: Arabidopsis thaliana seeds in a germination assay

Strigolactones (SLs) are one of the best-known signaling molecules released into the rhizosphere to regulate interactions with neighboring organisms. Originally isolated from plant root exudates as germination stimulants for root parasitic plants of the Orobanchaceae family, SLs play a dual role in rhizosphere. They ensure germination of the parasitic plants in the presence of the host, leading to significant crop losses worldwide. However, their primary function lies in supporting plant growth.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Figure 1: Rhizophagus irregularis colonizing a tomato root and stained with WGA-Alexa Fluor 488. Intraradical hyphae grow inside the root eventually forming arbuscules (highly branched hyphal structures) inside inner cortex root cells where the nutrient exchange between the two symbionts takes place.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form mutualistic associations with more than 80% of all land plants. AMF provide their host plants with essential nutrients such as phosphate, in return for plant derived carbohydrates. Hence, AMF could be used in agriculture to lower the use of chemical fertilizers. However, much is still not known about this complex plant-fungal interaction. Our research focusses on the molecular mechanisms of both symbiotic partners to establish and maintain the mutualistic relationship.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria

Figure 1. Maize grown under drought stress conditions. Left two pots are (mock) control plants. Middle two pots and right two pots were inoculated with Streptomyces strains.

Plant roots are colonized by vast amounts of microorganisms, of which many facilitate plant growth. The Goormachtig lab investigates the intricate interactions between plants and rhizosphere microbiota, with a primary emphasis on the phenotypic and molecular alterations induced by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), particularly focusing on Streptomyces species and the staple crops maize and wheat. 

Citizen science project "Soja in a 1000 gardens" shows efficacy of local soil organisms for successful soybean cultivation in first field trials

In March 2021, VIB, together with then Minister of Innovation and Agriculture Hilde Crevits, launched an appeal to the Flemish people to grow soy in their own gardens. That call was part of a project by VIB, together with partners Ghent University, KU Leuven and ILVO, to find bacteria that occur naturally in Flemish soils and that work well with soy plants in our regions. Participants were asked to sacrifice one square meter of their garden to plant soy. With success, as the project managed to get more than 1,000 participants (including farmers) to participate, which together allowed VIB and ILVO to identify bacteria that are necessary for quality soybean cultivation.

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