Common Alder is a native tree species of significant economic and ecological importance in Ireland. Alder can adapt to a diverse range of climatic conditions and play an important role in ecosystem restoration through its ability to colonize disturbed soils via soil enrichment. Nevertheless, Alder is vulnerable to infection by the root rot pathogen Phytophthora alni, which is a growing concern in the forestry sector, since it adversely affects Alder plantations, impacting their growth, survival, and ecosystem dynamics. Forests contain a rich diversity of microorganisms that are essential for maintaining tree health and ecosystem functionality. Microbial interactions can be of mutualistic, parasitic, or symbiotic relationships. Collectively, the microbial communities associated with any organism, including trees, are referred to as its microbiome. Research has indicated that beneficial microbes can form symbiotic relationships with trees to enhance their growth and resilience against pathogens and environmental stressors. To address the issues presented by P. alni, it is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of the microbial composition of Alder. This knowledge will enable us to harness the potential of microorganisms as bio-agents to combat Alder dieback. Therefore, current research aims to:
(i) Investigate the core microbiome of Alder trees.
(ii) Identify and isolate cultivable microbes to conduct in-vitro antagonistic studies against P. alni.
(iii) Evaluate the efficacy of selected microbes for potential use as bio-agents or beneficial microbes through in-planta assays.
Overall findings of this research will enhance our knowledge of the core Alder microbiome, and could develop a microbial repository for potential bio-agents, contributing to a sustainable and eco-friendly approach against Alder dieback disease.
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