Rhizobium Impacts on Pea Seed Productivity, Quality and Protection upon Pathogen Attack

What is it about?

Pisum sativum is the main host of the Ascochyta blight, a fungal disease, which causes significant yield losses globally every year. The scientists found that Rhizobium-symbiontic interaction with pea plants impacts on seed production and quality. Those plant root-bacteria induce the production of several metabolic seed compounds such as flavonoids. These compounds are not only valuable nutrients for human’s health, but do first of all protect the plant itself from pathogen attack. Once produced by the seeds, these flavonoids may again attract soil rhizobia to form symbiosis with new developing pea seedlings. The scientists also show that degree of effectiveness of the symbiont induced pathogen protection also depends on the Pea cultivar.

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Why is it important?

This work substantially contributes to a comprehensive insight into the pathogen defense mechanism of pea plants and the potential of micro-symbionts for improved seed quality and protection of agriculturally important legume crops. Future breeding strategies in legumes should implement Rhizobium application in order to reduce N-fertilization and to increase seed nutrition value and food security. However, depending on strain, cultivar and e.g. soil conditions (pH and salt content e.g. nitrogen, sulfate or salt levels) this may be more or less successful. More research is needed.

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