Highly resilient biocontrol agents based on desert microalgae

Jency's research

Soft rot and blackleg are destructive bacterial diseases that cause severe damage to the agricultural ecosystem, especially potato cultivation. These diseases are caused by two bacterial genera, Pectobacterium and Dickeya, belonging to the Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP) family. The progression of the disease outbreak involves a sudden shift in the bacteria within the seed tubers, transitioning from a dormant state to an aggressive phase that causes severe damage to crops. This complicates early detection and hinders timely eradication efforts. Environmental conditions, particularly temperature, appear to be critical in triggering this transition. However, the exact conditions required for this shift have not yet been clearly defined. Due to the complexity, this study aims to understand the effect of temperature on bacteria and seed tubers separately before examining the effect of temperature on their interactions.

Nitzy's research

Alternaria species are commonly found in arid and semi-arid soils. While often linked to plant pathogenesis, their ecology and physiology without plant-host soils are poorly understood. In desert ecosystems, biological soil crusts (biocrusts) form vital microhabitats with complex microbial communities, including fungi, bacteria, cyanobacteria, and algae. These organisms endure extreme stresses, such as desiccation, high temperatures, and intense radiation. Dew is the primary water source in biocrusts, and the ability to survive daily wetting and drying cycles is essential for microbial persistence. This study explores the growth of Alternaria in diffrent conditions atra to better understand its ecological role in biocrusts.