Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This thesis aimed to investigate the underlying processes of potential synergistic effects of native soil bacteria exhibiting plant growth-promoting traits and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in suppressing Fusarium Crown and Root Rot in spring wheat cultivars. Through greenhouse pot experiments, the efficacy of microbial interventions was evaluated. Despite encountering weaker results in terms of disease suppression than initially expected, this thesis still manages to show significant results with the introduction of AMF and a local microbial community provided by Hasta gård may have in terms of disease suppression. Specifically, observations in spring wheat cultivar Diskett align with existing literature as a promising cultivar in showcasing the positive effects AMF may have, and the synergy it could potentially establish below ground in terms of plant resilience challenged with fungal diseases. These results, however, should be approached with caution as more tests and replicates for statistical robustness are needed. They could potentially be used as a springboard for further studies in that direction in the pursuit of sustainable practices in the realm of beneficial soil bacteria and fungi acting as biocontrol agents.