Beneficial Effects of Ascophyllum nodosum extract on crop microbiome, soil fertility and crop growth

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Ascophyllum nodosum (L) Le Jol. is an abundant brown macro-alga found in intertidal zones along the North Atlantic coastlines of North America and Europe. Many research reports have explored the beneficial effects of A. nodosum extracts on plant growth and development. Many potential underlying physiological mechanisms have been indicated in terms of enhance productivity, plant vigor, plant nutrition, and crop fertility following treatments with A. nodosum extracts (ANE). Components such as macro- and micro-element nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, and the endogenous stimulation of plant growth stimulating substances (e.g. cytokinins, auxins, and gibberellic acid-like substances) have been implicated in the growth promotion effects of seaweed extracts on plant growth. However, little is known about the effects of seaweed extracts on the interactions between plant roots and the extraordinary diversity of beneficial soil microbes (e.g. bacteria and fungi) in the rhizosphere. These soil microbes benefit the growth of their host plants by various means, commonly by facilitating access to nutrients, as an exmaple: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that are known to promote plant growth by enhancing mineral uptake particularly phosphorus. The aim of this project is to establish a collaboration with Acadian Seaplants Ltd (ASL) in order to develop a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms resulting from the beneficial effects of in A. nodosum extracts on plant growth, and specifically on plant-microbial interactions. This research will focus on mycorrhizal fungi as well as rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria and fungi. We will use greenhouse trials and amplicon sequencing targeting 16S rRNA gene for bacteria, ITS for fungi and 18S rRNA gene for mycorrhizal fungi on Illumina MiSeq Technology.