12/09/2018 From production to application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems: a multidisciplinary approach Jacqueline Baar

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach 12/09/2018 Mycorrhizal fungi Beneficial soil organisms in symbiosis with plants enhancing nutrient and water uptake from soil Ectomycorrhizal fungi Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Ectomycorrhizal fungi Basidiomycetous fungi: Cantharellus cibarius Boletus edulis Agaricus muscaria Symbionts at trees: Pinaceae Betulaceae Fagaceae Salicacea

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Special structures in plant roots Only visible with special techniques Fruitbodies below ground Symbionts at the majority of herbs, grasses, crops, except for: Brassicaceae Resedeceae Examples are: Glomus sp. Acaulaspora sp.

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Functions attributed to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Enhanced uptake of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous) and water Increased resistance against pathogens above and below ground Improvement of soil structure Increased resistance against heavy metals

Demonstration experiment in Flevopolders (Netherlands) in 2005 -AMF + AMF Durito shoot length - AMF 22 cm + AMF 27 cm Jumbo shoot length - AMF 24 cm + AMF 30 cm

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Future perspectives: Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can greatly be enhanced in the next decades Increase of sustainable land management Reduction of chemical fertilizers Reduced use of chemical pesticides

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Knowlegde about diversity and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in European agricultural and natural systems is limited Functionality of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under different regional conditions has received little study More knowledge necessary to describe development of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems in Europe

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach More knowledge for application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is needed system-analysis approach description of mycorrhizal fungi at different crops: agricultural systems horticultural systems focus on regional variation in soils and host plants breeding of host plants to enhance responsiveness to mycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Knowledge about arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems throughout Europe will allow us application of mycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Europe: agricultural systems open fields organic and conventional management horticultural systems greenhouses

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Addition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to: crops plant species roots seeds soils, e.g. potting soils fields

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Techniques are available or under further development: to determine the diversity and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to describe the situations before application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to study the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi functionality

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Staining techniques: to determine amount of colonization Molecular techniques (PCR, Taqman, sequencing, DGGE): to determine colonization to describe diversity to quantify abundance

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi different inocula available commercially further development of mycorrhizal inoculum is needed for specific soil conditions in temperate and mediterranean zones quality standard of mycorrhizal inoculum has to be developed breeding of plants for enhanced responsiveness and colonization of mycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Cooperation: companies and research institutions between research institutions with national governments

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach COST- Action can contribute: To increase practical implementation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems To stimulate cooperation between scientists, SME’s, quality mark organizations and advisers

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Focus COST-Action Bringing together diverse scientific areas Plant breeding (Low input) arable farming Applied mycorrhizal research Synergism by combining plant breeding and mycorrhizal research Development of crops with enhanced responsiveness to mycorrhizal fungi Leading to enhanced application of mycorrhizal fungi Increased sustainability of agriculture

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Focus COST-Action Chain approach Inoculum producers Suppliers of mycorrhizal fungi Users of mycorrhizal fungi (e.g. growers, potting soil companies) Advisers Quality mark organizations Scientists

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Objectives of COST-Action addressed in four Working Groups: To increase application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems To identify plant genes controlling responisiveness to mycorrhizal fungi (WG1) Focus on crops of economic value

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Objectives of COST-Action addressed in four Working Groups: To develop an independent quality control system for mycorrhizal fungal inoculum (WG2) To develop mycorrhizal fungal inoculum with specificty for specific crops under different soil conditions and fertilisation regimes (WG 3 and WG 4) Low-high input systems in temperate zones Mediterrenean conditions

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Benefits of COST-Action Integration of different scientific disciplines to deliver increased implementation of mycorrhizal fungi Breeding programs for crops to develop enhanced responsiveness to mycorrhizal fungi Improvement of mycorrhizal inoculum: Increased specificity Quality control

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach Benefits of COST-Action Cooperation and communication between scientists, companies and advisers Contribution to sustainable agricultural systems with reduced input of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach 12/09/2018 Challenges for the future… looking into the black box of soil? Or… Bringing together different fields from plant perspective, soil chemistry, applied mycorrhizal technology in cooperation with companies  puzzle?

Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach 12/09/2018 COST Action will contribute to application of mycorrhizal fungi resulting in increased sustainability in agricultural systems and development of healthy food products Thank you for your attention