Beneficial root-associated microorganisms for sustainable agriculture

Beneficial root-associated microorganisms, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, nodule-inducing nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, and plant growth-promoting bacteria/fungi, are key players for crop productivity in low-input systems. Identification of environmental and genetic determinants controlling their interactions with crops is paramount for the development of a more sustainable agriculture, and this requires multidisciplinary research approaches. However, the research field remains fragmented and beneficial microorganism interactions with plant roots are often overlooked in agricultural management practices or in breeding programs. ROOT-BENEFIT aims to bring together, specialists of these different types of beneficial interactions working at different levels of study, together with socio-economic actors to create a network able to: i) sum up and disseminate the current knowledge on agronomic, environmental and economic criteria characterizing the services provided by beneficial root-associated microorganisms, ii) perform meta-analyses with existing datasets, iii) identify gaps in the current knowledge and define future research priorities, iv) propose methodologies and strategies for implementing or improving crop interactions with beneficial root-associated microorganisms in agriculture, v) propose recommendations on microbial applications to inoculant producers, policy-makers and end-user farmers. Overall, ROOT-BENEFIT will strengthen the European research capacity and leadership on beneficial root-associated microorganisms, and facilitate knowledge transfer to socio-economic actors and inclusiveness towards European and Mediterranean countries.