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Use of root specific microorganisms enhancing drought stress tolerance of medical plants as for thyme demonstrated
Project
Project code: 22030518
Contract period: 01.02.2020
- 31.01.2023
Budget: 403,068 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: soil, climate change, plant health, thyme, medical plantes, renewable ressources
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) extracts are ingredients of many pharmaceutical products mainly deployed for therapeutic applications against pain in joints and for the treatment of catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract. Environmental conditions such as soil quality or nutrient and water availability have a strong impact on thyme yield and spectra of active substances in the essential oils. Thyme plants are thermophilic, but need sufficient spring precipitation for germination and emergence. Spring drought has increasingly occurred in recent years. Therefore, German thyme production is at risk. The aim of the project is to improve drought resistance of thyme in its juvenile stage by applying root symbiotic microbes. Well characterized fungal and bacterial strains increase the availability of nutrients and water and promote soil aggregate formation and thereby increase soil water holding capacity. Within the project, three field trials including formulated inocula of advantageous microbial strains (e.g. Bacillus sp., Trichoderma sp.) from the Anhalt University strain collection will be utilized in cooperation with thyme producers and processors. During three vegetation periods, remote sensing of the experimental fields will be performed by a drone featuring a multispectral photometric system. In parallel, soil water content and chlorophyll a fluorescence will be determined by tensiometer and Pocket PEA devices, to substantiate remote sensing data. Root samples will be used to determine microbial root colonization density (DNA isolation, qPCR) and leaf samples will be analyzed to examine content and composition of the essential oils (GC-FID/MS). At harvest, parameters like yield, protein and NPK content will be examined. Cost/benefit analysis will determine the economic potential to secure or expand thyme cultivation under spring drought conditions. This will support German thyme producers to hold or even increase their market shares.
Section overview
Subjects
- Horticulture
- Climate Change
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Department of Agriculture, Ecotrophology and Landscape Development
