Biodiversity plays a pivotal role in the development of climate-smart plants by providing a rich reservoir of genetic material and traits that can be harnessed for enhancing crop resilience to changing environmental conditions. PSB is exploring different ways in which existing biodiversity can aid this process.
First, the genomes of plants can be considered as invaluable genetic diversity reservoirs. Wild relatives of crops often possess unique genetic traits that have evolved to help them survive in extreme environmental conditions. By tapping into this genetic diversity, we can incorporate these advantageous traits into cultivated varieties, enabling them to thrive in challenging climates. On the one hand, PSB has been and will be involved in the generation of high-quality reference genomes for threatened and endangered species, along with species significant for ecosystem function and stability, invasive species perturbing local ecosystems, underutilized, neglected, or ‘opportunity’ crops that are important for the Global South, and under-represented taxa that constitute a large percentage of global biodiversity. Such reference genomes serve as fundamental resources for informing biodiversity assessments, making robust conservation decisions, and appropriate restoration plans, all of which require increasing genetic diversity of target species and enhancing species adaptation to a changing environment. In addition, reference genomes are indispensable for both genome editing and gene drive approaches. In addition, PSB is increasingly involved in the sequencing and analyses of so-called pan-genomes, i.e., the complete set of genes within a particular species, capturing the genetic diversity found among different individuals of that species. Pangenomes allow researchers to study both the core genome, which includes genes shared by all individuals, and the accessory genome, which consists of genes that are present in some but not all individuals. Pangenomes are particularly useful in understanding population genetics, evolutionary biology, and the functional potential of species. By analyzing pangenomes, we can gain insights into how genetic variation correlates with phenotypic diversity, disease resistance, and adaptation to different environments. Pangenomes have become increasingly important with advancements in sequencing technology, enabling a more comprehensive view of genetic variation across different strains or populations. Some of the pangenome projects PSB has already been involved in are those of Amaranthus, coffee, and soybean.
Second, for the identification of adaptive traits, traits in various plant species that have adapted to similar environmental conditions or challenges, can serve as indicators of resilience. By studying these adaptations - whether at the molecular, phenotypic, or ecological level - we can identify specific genetic loci responsible for vital characteristics such as heat, cold, drought, and salt tolerance and pest resistance. This knowledge will guide breeding and engineering programs aimed at developing climate-resilient crops. With respect to adaptive traits, crops that farmers have cultivated over generations may have lost traits that traditional varieties and heirloom plants still possess, such as adaptability to local climatic conditions. By reconsidering the biodiversity in these traditional or local varieties, we can develop new, adapted crop species that can thrive under climate stressors. By understanding the ecological niches these wild species occupy, we can selectively breed or engineer for traits that allow crops to adapt to novel challenges, such as a changing climate.
Third, leveraging knowledge about the rhizosphere microbiome and soil biodiversity can create ecosystems that are not only more productive but also more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ultimately contributing to mitigation efforts. Healthy soil microbiomes enhance soil structure and fertility, promoting higher organic matter content. This, in turn, improves carbon sequestration, as carbon is stored in the soil through the decomposition of organic materials. The rhizosphere microbiome also participates in nutrient cycling, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. By optimizing the activity of beneficial microbes, plants can access nutrients more efficiently, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions during production and application.
Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most economically important legumes worldwide. However, Europe strongly depends on soybean import from South American countries where soybean cultivation leads to major environmental issues. To alleviate this dependency and to reduce local nitrogen input to develop socially responsible protein products, a shift towards local soybean production is imperative. Soybean plants form a symbiotic interaction with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia bacteria within root nodules. There, nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-accessible forms in return for plant-derived carbohydrates. However, current commercial inoculants are not adapted to European and local environmental conditions, often resulting in suboptimal nitrogen fixation and lower protein content. Therefore, PSB is studying the biodiversity of the local rhizosphere microbiome to identify potent local nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Soybean physiological responses to co-inoculation with diverse bacteria are studied, to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of soybean production at northern latitudes.
In summary, leveraging the biodiversity already present in today’s plants, crops, and the rhizosphere microbiome, can offer valuable solutions for developing climate-smart plants. By integrating genetic diversity, traditional knowledge, and innovative agricultural practices, we will not only enhance crop resilience but also foster sustainable agricultural systems that can withstand the impacts of climate change.
Apart from increasingly adopting Nature’s biodiversity in our research programs, with our efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, PSB also aims to contribute to preserve or even improve (local) biodiversity. Also paving the way for a more sustainable agriculture can significantly contribute to the preservation of biodiversity in several ways. The breeding and engineering of climate-smart plants aims to create varieties that are more resilient to climate stressors, such as drought, heat, and flooding. Sustainable agricultural practices also focus on minimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and increase their efficiency, while biodiverse agricultural systems are more resilient to pests and diseases, thus reducing reliance on chemical controls. In turn, by designing agricultural systems that work with natural processes (e.g., healthy soil microbiomes), farmers can enhance biodiversity while improving their productivity and longevity. By developing such resilient and robust crops, farmers maintain yields under adverse conditions, reducing the need to expand agricultural land into ecologically sensitive areas, thus protecting natural habitats and preserving biodiversity.
In bringing our crops from the lab to the field, in collaboration with agricultural Institutes e.g. ILVO, practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, and polyculture systems, will be considered. Such practices enhance diversity in agroecosystems, which can support a wider range of beneficial organisms. Healthy soils support a thriving underground ecosystem, which is essential for plant growth and biodiversity above ground.
Sustainable practices that favour biodiversity often preserve traditional farming systems and indigenous crops, which are often well-adapted to local conditions. This not only supports community resilience, but also maintains cultural diversity linked to traditional agricultural practices (see our projects with IPBO and AOCC). By embracing sustainable agriculture and the development of climate-smart plants, we can create agricultural systems that thrive in harmony with nature, preserve biodiversity, and contribute to ecological stability in the face of climate change.
PSB for Nature