Using the well-studied and easy-to-use pathosystem Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici-tomato plant and beneficial microorganisms, the MicroBionet project aims to in-depth understand the dynamics in the roots associated with bacterial communities to develop sustainable strategies for crop management. 

In a preliminary part of our project, we will study the effect on tomato root-associated bacterial community of fungi colonization mediated by both beneficial (i.e., Trichoderma afroharzianum) and pathogenic (i.e., Fusarium oxysporum), highlighting any differences between a protective or pathogenic interactions. 

For this purpose, NGS techniques will be applied to monitor the bacterial community in tomato rhizosphere of plants subjected to the experimental treatments. 

Contextually, tomato root-associated bacteria will be isolated from Trichoderma treatments and this microbial collection will be characterized by evaluating phenotypes related to plant growth promotion and protection. 

Therefore, the most promising bacterial isolates will be characterized evaluating their ability to closely interact with Trichoderma, and the possibility to be displaced in the soil by the mycelial network. 

The selected bacterial isolates will be used to develop a microbial consortium with Trichoderma afroharzianum applied as soil inoculant to evaluate the effectiveness in preventing tomato Fusarium wilt and as growth biostimulant. 

The bacteria making up the more effective microbial consortia will be subjected to molecular characterization by genome sequestration and considered for future patent protection and formulations development. 

The new bioformulates based on microbial consortia that will be set up by the present project will represent a valid tool for the sustainable management of root diseases in horticultural crops, reducing the severe losses due to soil-borne pathogens ad the use of synthetic fungicides.