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Poster

Session: Session 2 Presenting Authors at Posters (Odds)

P-231 - Enhancing Strawberry Resistance to Insects Pests Using Synthetic Microbial Communities

Wednesday, July 16, 2025
13:30 - 15:15  
Location: Confex Hall 3
Microbe-mediated impacts on plant-parasite interactions

    Presenting Author(s)

  • PV

    Pauline Verhage

    PhD Scientist
    KU Leuven Plant Institute
    Heverlee, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium

    • Author(s)

  • JW

    Jeroen Wagemans

    Research Manager
    KU Leuven Plant Institute
    Heverlee, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium

  • RL

    Rob Lavigine

    Professor
    KU Leuven Plant Institute
    3001, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium

  • BL

    Bart Lievens

    KU Leuven Plant Institute
    Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium

Beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere can significantly aid plants by improving nutrient uptake, increasing stress tolerance, and enhancing resistance against pests insects and pathogens. Most research has traditionally focused on using single microbial strains to improve plant resistance. However, despite their promising potential, the effectiveness of such beneficial microbes in field applications has often been inconsistent. As a result, there is growing interest in synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) that combine multiple strains to achieve synergistic effects. In this study, we aim to design a SynCom to enhance strawberry resistance against the invasive pest species Halyomorpha halys (brown marmorated stink bug). To achieve this, around 400 plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were isolated from strawberry roots. These isolates were assessed for key properties, including nitrogen fixation, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, and auxin production. The most promising strains were then evaluated for their ability to promote plant growth and enhance resistance to H. halys. Finally, combinations of the best-performing strains are being compared to their individual counterparts, to design an effective SynCom. Altogether, this research will contribute to an effective and sustainable strategy for managing insect pests, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides