Scientists from the University of Glasgow and Forman Christian College University in Pakistan are testing an innovative microbial transplant method to protect cotton plants from the devastating Cotton Leaf Curl Disease (CLCuD). This virus has long wreaked havoc on cotton crops, particularly in Pakistan—a top producer of fine cotton—causing yield losses of up to 35% and costing the textile industry US$2 billion annually.

The researchers extract microbes from the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of Gossypium arboreum, a cotton species naturally resistant to CLCuD, and transplant them to Gossypium hirsutum, which is highly susceptible. Early trials revealed significantly fewer disease symptoms in treated plants, with one experiment showing reduced signs up to 40 days post-infection.

Ayesha Badar, the study’s first author and PhD researcher, explained, “Organ transplantation is common in human health, so why not apply a similar concept to plants? Instead of organs, we transplant their vital microbiome.” Dr. Umer Zeeshan Ijaz from the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering added, “Advanced sequencing lets us decode microbial communities that suppress disease, paving the way for targeted interventions.”

Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik of Forman Christian College University recalled, “After decades of battling CLCuD in Pakistan, using beneficial microbes offers a sustainable, biological solution.” The study in Communications Biology also suggests that the transplanted microbiome can boost growth in susceptible crops, potentially reducing the need for chemical sprays.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in combating plant pathogens and offers promising new tools for farmers worldwide.