DiControl - Implications of soil management practices and application of biocontrol strains on soil health and suppressiveness against pathogens

Intensive crop management strategies with short crop rotation intervals increase the risk of crop losses due to accumulation of plant pathogens in soil whereas healthy soils will suppress pathogens, partially mediated by their microbiota. For the development of more sustainable crop management strategies a better under-standing of their influence on the soil microbiota and its role in pathogen suppression is needed. The aim of the proposed project is to assess the long term impact of agricultural management practices (intensive and extensive) on structure and function of root-affected soil and rhizosphere-associated microbial communities and plant health and growth.