TFRI Discovers Superior Acacia Root Microbes to Aid Afforestation in Barren Lands

(CNA, Reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, June 30) Afforestation efforts face increasing challenges due to climate change-induced droughts. The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute (TFRI) has discovered superior microbial strains in the roots of Acacia trees that can effectively reduce physiological damage to seedlings caused by high salinity or drought, aiding afforestation in barren or coastal areas.

The Council of Agriculture (now Ministry of Agriculture) released a press release today stating that with climate change leading to extreme environmental shifts such as drought and high salinity, afforestation work faces growing challenges. Ensuring the survival of seedlings under harsh conditions is a critical issue in current forestry.

TFRI's research team recently discovered multiple superior microbial strains from symbiotic microorganisms in Acacia roots that promote plant growth and enhance salt tolerance. This offers a new biological solution for future afforestation in barren or coastal regions.

TFRI pointed out that Acacia is a common afforestation tree species on Taiwan's hillsides and coastlines. Its roots can form nodules through symbiosis with specific bacteria, thereby fixing atmospheric nitrogen to supplement soil nutrients.

TFRI's research team delved into the microbial world within Acacia root nodules, collecting samples from Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County. They isolated 99 endophytic strains and screened 43 that could be stably cultured.

TFRI further tested the functional performance of each strain. The results showed that several strains could synthesize exopolysaccharides (EPS) in high-salinity environments, helping plants maintain water balance and root structure stability. Some strains could synthesize the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), promoting seedling root development. Other strains possessed ACC deaminase activity, capable of breaking down ethylene precursors accumulated by plants under stress, effectively reducing physiological damage to seedlings caused by high salinity or drought, allowing plants to maintain normal growth in difficult environments.

TFRI stated that among the numerous strains, YEM_C-3 stood out as the only strain with four growth-promoting functions: IAA synthesis, high-salinity EPS protection, phosphate solubilization, and ACC deaminase activity, making it a comprehensive plant growth promoter.

TFRI combined three superior strains with different functions: YEM_C-3 responsible for stress protection and phosphate solubilization, YEM_A-1 for nitrogen fixation and fertilization, and YEM_B-9 for promoting root growth via IAA. The aim is for these three to work collaboratively, achieving synergistic effects.

Lin Guan-ying, an assistant researcher at TFRI, said that the microorganisms in Acacia root nodules are not just nitrogen-fixing partners for the trees but also harbor various abilities that help plants survive in adversity. These strains have the potential for direct application in seedling cultivation in the future, preparing seedlings to cope with harsh environments before they are planted.

TFRI will subsequently conduct pot and field inoculation trials to verify the actual effectiveness of the three combined strains and evaluate their application potential in high-salinity coastal areas and arid hillsides, providing a more environmentally friendly and effective new option for Taiwan's afforestation and restoration efforts. (Editor: Guan Chung-wei) 1150630

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