Roots and bugs unearthed

A three-year CSIRO project looking at the interactions of wheat roots and soil micro-organisms may provide innovative ways to improve crop yields.

Both farmers and scientists know that soil micro-organisms can have positive or negative effects on crop yields, yet little is known about them and the way they interact with plant roots.

Soil bacteria and fungi interact with plant roots in a specialised zone known as the rhizosphere. As well as micro-organism effects on roots, roots also release specific chemicals that affect the rhizosphere organisms.

A CSIRO Plant Industry project is investigating whether wheat varieties that perform better in intensive cereal rotations have fewer inhibitory rhizosphere organisms due to the chemicals released from the roots. They will then assess whether the potential exists to select for this trait in breeding programs.

New techniques, such as the use of molecular probes that 'light up' the bacteria on the roots, are revealing the numbers and diversity of rhizosphere micro-organisms while chemical analysis is showing how roots both feed and signal these 'bugs'.

Field trials are looking at how different wheat cultivars and crop management practices affect the rhizosphere, particularly in wheat/wheat rotations under no-till systems.

Researchers are also undertaking a survey of farmers who have been using wheat/wheat rotations.

If you can help with information on yields, management practices such as inter-row sowing, and general experiences, especially as part of a no-till system, please contact Dr Michelle Watt on 02 6246 4902 or at Michelle.Watt@csiro.au.

The research is a collaboration with the Australian National University and is supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

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