Scientists fae da University o Glesga an Forman Christian College University in Pakistan are testin an innovative microbial transplant method for tae protect cotton plants fae da devastatin Cotton Leaf Curl Disease (CLCuD). Dis virus his lang vrocht havoc on cotton crops, pairticularly in Pakistan—a heich producer o fine cotton—causin yield losses o up tae 35% an costin da textile industry US$2 billion annually.

Da researchers extract microbes fae da rhizosphere an phyllosphere o Gossypium arboreum, a cotton species naiturally resistant tae CLCuD, an transplant dem tae Gossypium hirsutum, whit is heichly susceptible. Early trials revealed significantly fewer disease symptoms in treated plants, wi ane experiment showin reduced signs up tae 40 days post-infection.

Ayesha Badar, da study’s first author an PhD researcher, explained, “Organ transplantation is common in human health, sae whit wey nae apply a similar concept tae plants? Insteid o organs, we transplant deir vital microbiome.” Dr. Umer Zeeshan Ijaz frae da University o Glesga’s James Watt School o Engineerin added, “Advanced sequencin lats us decode microbial communities dat suppress disease, pavin da wey for targeted interventions.”

Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik o Forman Christian College University recalled, “Efter decades o battlin CLCuD in Pakistan, uisin beneficial microbes offers a sustainable, biological solution.” Da study in Communications Biology suggests dat da transplanted microbiome can boost growth in susceptible crops, potentially reducin da need for chemical sprays.

Dis collaborative effort merks a significant stap forrit in combatin plant pathogens an offers promisin new tools for fermers warldwide.