plant-microbe interactions

Enhanced Phytoextraction Technologies for the Sustainable Remediation of Cadmium-Contaminated Soil Based on Hyperaccumulators—A Review

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Cadmium contamination of farmland is a serious global problem that threatens food safety and human health. This review explores how special plants called hyperaccumulators can extract cadmium from soil, and how scientists can boost their effectiveness through various methods like beneficial bacteria, improved farming techniques, and special chemicals. The research shows that combining multiple enhancement strategies works better than using any single approach, offering hope for cleaning up polluted agricultural lands sustainably.

A tale for two roles: Root-secreted methyl ferulate inhibits P. nicotianae and enriches the rhizosphere Bacillus against black shank disease in tobacco

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Tobacco plants release a natural chemical called methyl ferulate from their roots that has a powerful two-pronged defense against a devastating soil disease called black shank. First, the methyl ferulate directly kills the fungus by disrupting its energy production. Second, it attracts beneficial bacteria called Bacillus to the soil around the roots, which further fight the disease. Scientists found they could boost this defense by engineering a tobacco gene that produces more methyl ferulate, making plants much more resistant to infection. This discovery offers farmers an affordable, natural way to control soil diseases without synthetic chemicals.

Isolation of Bacteria from Lead-Contaminated Soil and Bacterial Interaction Test with Plant Growing on Lead-Amended Media

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Researchers discovered special bacteria from lead-contaminated soil that can accumulate and neutralize lead while also producing a plant hormone called IAA. When these bacteria were added to three ornamental plants growing in lead-contaminated soil, the plants grew better and absorbed less lead. This discovery offers a promising natural and sustainable way to clean up lead-polluted environments by combining bacteria and plants.

Recent Advances and Developments in Bacterial Endophyte Identification and Application: A 20-Year Landscape Review

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Bacterial endophytes are beneficial bacteria living inside plants that help them grow stronger, resist diseases, and even clean up polluted soil. Scientists have studied these helpful microbes for 20 years and discovered they can be identified using both traditional laboratory methods and advanced DNA technologies. These bacteria show promise for making farming more sustainable by reducing the need for chemical pesticides and helping crops survive droughts and other stressors.

Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Bacterium B5 from Mentha haplocalyx Briq. and Its Biocontrol Mechanisms Against Alternaria alternata-Induced Tobacco Brown Spot

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Scientists discovered a beneficial bacterium called Bacillus velezensis in mint plants that can fight tobacco brown spot disease caused by a fungus. This bacterium works by producing natural antifungal compounds and enzymes that damage the fungus, and it helps boost the plant’s own defense systems. In greenhouse tests, this bacterial treatment was as effective as commercial chemical fungicides, offering farmers a safer, more environmentally friendly option for protecting their tobacco crops.

Native Bacteria Are Effective Biocontrol Agents at a Wide Range of Temperatures of Neofusicoccum parvum, Associated with Botryosphaeria Dieback on Grapevine

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Researchers from Chile identified native bacteria (specifically Pseudomonas strains) that effectively prevent a destructive fungal disease affecting grapevines. These bacteria can work across a wide range of temperatures and significantly reduce fungal growth both in laboratory tests and in actual vineyard conditions. This discovery offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting grapevines, particularly important as younger vines appear more vulnerable to infection.

A simple protocol for producing axenic seeds of Sorghum bicolor

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This study presents a simple and inexpensive method for sterilizing sorghum seeds to remove all living microbes while keeping them viable for planting. The process involves soaking seeds in ethanol and bleach for short periods, followed by rinsing. Of 95 seeds tested, only 2 showed contamination, and over half successfully germinated, making this method practical for seed research.

Alliance Between Conifer Trees and Endophytic Fungi Against Insect Defoliators

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This study discovered that special fungi living inside white spruce trees help protect the trees from damaging insects called budworms. These fungi produce toxic substances and smelly compounds that kill or repel the budworms. When researchers increased the amount of these beneficial fungi in young spruce trees, the trees produced higher levels of protective chemicals called terpenes. This research shows that the relationship between spruce trees, fungi, and insects has evolved together over time, with fungi playing a crucial role in keeping trees healthy.

Soil microorganism colonization influenced the growth and secondary metabolite accumulation of Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Rchb. F.

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Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata) is a medicinal plant whose growth and medicinal compound production depend heavily on soil microorganisms. Researchers found that different soil types harbor different beneficial microbes: sandy loam soils boost plant growth, while sandy clay soils increase medicinal compound concentration. Specific microbes colonize different plant parts, with some promoting growth in roots and tubers, while others enhance the production of militarine, a compound with potential anti-aging and cognitive benefits.

Effect of Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis BGC AH01) on the Soil Bacterial Community Assembly

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This study examined how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (a beneficial fungus that partners with plant roots) influence soil bacteria communities over time. Researchers grew maize plants with and without this fungus and tracked bacterial changes over 90 days. They found that the fungus creates a more stable and diverse bacterial community that reaches equilibrium around 60 days, helping improve nutrient availability for plant growth.

Research Keyword: plant-microbe interactions