While agriculture struggles to feed a growing population through environmentally friendly means, the authors explain that combining different types of microorganisms could be the key to more sustainable production.
The researchers point out that while fungi like Trichoderma and bacteria such as Bacillus or Pseudomonas are effective on their own, using them together creates a powerful synergy.
According to the study, these “microbial synergistic bio-inoculants” act as both plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents, offering benefits that are greater than the sum of their individual parts. The review considers the diverse mechanisms behind these interactions and presents them as a promising alternative for crop management and pest control.
However, the authors also highlight significant gaps in current research. While there is plenty of data on how these combinations fight pests and diseases, they note that there is little to no information regarding their effectiveness against viral diseases or their ability to improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses.
Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.105100
Reference:
Poveda, J., & Eugui, D. (2022). Combined use of Trichoderma and beneficial bacteria (mainly Bacillus and Pseudomonas): Development of microbial synergistic bio-inoculants in sustainable agriculture. Biological Control, 176, 105100.