About This Project

Plants co-evolved with a group of soil fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that support plant nutrient uptake and soil health. The vast potential of these fungi in sustainable agriculture is still unrealized. This citizen science project engages with farmers and land managers to submit soil samples from around Australia to map these fungi on a continental scale, and investigate how differences in agricultural management affect them.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Most plants form a close relationship with a group of fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, or AM fungi for short. The fungi give plants access to important resources like phosphorus and water, and they can also help plants defend themselves against pests. AM fungi contribute to overall soil health, they reduce soil phosphorus losses and are important for soil structure.

There are many hundreds of species of AM fungi. Just as different species of animals and plants do different things in their ecosystems, AM fungal species differ in their 'functions' in the soil, and they do different things for the plants they connect with. For example, some fungi might be particularly good at providing access phosphorus, or enhancing their resistance to insects.

What is the significance of this project?

The enormity of the challenge of feeding our growing population sustainably has become increasingly apparent. Fundamental to meeting that challenge is growing food and minimizing damage to our soil ecosystems. Despite the vast potential of AM fungi, we remain limited by our lack of data. While research suggests agricultural practices have a strong influence on fungi, our knowledge of how agriculture affects fungal diversity across Australia is virtually absent.

If we are to manage land that supports beneficial fungi, we first need to map the current state of AM fungal community composition across Australian agro-ecosystems. If we can understand this, we will be equipped to manage these fungi to support sustainable agriculture.

What are the goals of the project?

This project will:

(i) Survey AM fungal communities from agricultural environments across Australia to map their diversity and community composition;

(ii) explore how the composition and diversity of AM fungi are influenced by geography and climate;

(iii) identify how different agricultural management practices impact AM fungal community composition.

To achieve this, we engage with farmers across Australia to submit their soil samples over the next year. Participants sign up via the Dig Up Dirt website and complete a simple form so we have information on land management. We then post a sampling kit and a pre-paid satchel to send the soil. Using DNA metabarcoding, we sequence the soil DNA to characterize the fungal communities. Research outcomes will be published.