Dr. Alexander M. Semenov, Senior Research Scientist, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

"Selecting Natural Microorganisms to Control Root Disease in Agricultural Plants in Russia"

(Category: Agriculture)

Extensive pesticide use in the former Soviet Union and around the world has led to unbalanced soil ecosystems and soil and groundwater pollution. Presently, the lack of availability of pesticides, their increasing expense in Russia, and the growing understanding of the necessity of environmental protection, is stimulating an urgent need for alternative technology to address the problems of root disease in agricultural plants. During his research, Dr. Semenov will select a variety of microorganisms in the natural environment that exist independently, yet are connected to each other through the transfer of food and energy, known as microbial communities. He will use a continuous flow system to select and isolate microbial communities that are able to control disease. This natural microbial community will be introduced in the soil where it will grow particularly on the roots of infected plants, preventing massive root infections by the pathogen. He hopes this process will provide a sustainable agricultural practice that could have major implications in combating plant diseases. Ultimately, the widespread use of such microbial communities to control root disease(s) would limit the need for pesticides and restore the environment.

This Lindbergh/Fried Grant in agriculture has been made possible by a gift from Albert Fried, Jr.