Bacteria find could aid crop protection

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom have discovered how communities of beneficial bacteria form a waterproof coating on the roots of plants.

This helps protect the plants from microbes that could potentially cause disease. Their insights could lead to ways to control this shield and improve its efficiency, which could help curb the risk of unwanted infections in agricultural or garden plants, reports the team.

Scientists studied the protective film formed by the common soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis.

They found it incorporates proteins that change shape as they reach the film surface. This exposes an impervious surface on the protein molecules, enabling them to slot together like a jigsaw puzzle, to protect bacteria underneath.

The protective film is able to repel water, which means other potentially harmful molecules also bounce off. Researchers say that being able to control the production of the biofilm in agricultural products could enable improved protection for plants.