University of Bern advances microbial and seaweed-based solutions for drought-resilient teff

As part of its contribution to BOOSTER, UBERN is driving key activities to identify biological solutions that can strengthen teff’s resilience to drought​.​

Central to this work was the screening of a diverse collection of 58 microbial isolates sourced from drought-prone soils in South Africa (21 isolates) and Ethiopia (37 isolates). These candidates were evaluated through a structured greenhouse screening pipeline using teff as the model crop, with the goal of pinpointing microbes capable of improving plant performance under water-limited conditions.

Greenhouse trials were conducted until the V2 growth stage, after which drought stress was applied. Plant height was monitored in the days following stress initiation, and dry biomass was assessed at the end of the stress period. To ensure robust and meaningful comparisons, two control groups were included: a mock-treated control and a non-primed control. Seed priming treatments followed Aphea.Bio’s established protocols, ensuring consistency with downstream formulation and scale-up activities.

This screening process successfully identified microbial strains with a clear capacity to enhance drought tolerance in teff. Two of the most promising candidates will now be transferred to Aphea.Bio for scale-up and formulation. These strains will move forward into the next phase of BOOSTER, where they will be validated in upcoming field trials in Ethiopia to assess their performance under real farming conditions. In parallel to field validation, UBERN will contribute to a deeper understanding of how these microbes exert their beneficial effects. Planned studies include whole-genome sequencing of the selected strains, assessments of microbial root colonisation intensity, and meta-transcriptomic analyses to capture root–microbe interactions during drought stress.

Alongside microbial screening, UBERN also led the evaluation of seaweed extract (SWE) formulations developed by BioAtlantis. Six formulations, three designed for seed priming and three for foliar application, were tested under controlled greenhouse conditions. Based on their superior performance in enhancing grain yield and improving key physiological parameters under drought stress, one SWE formulation for seed priming and one for foliar application were selected. These SWE candidates will also be validated in Ethiopian field trials as BOOSTER progresses.

Looking ahead, transcriptomic analyses at UBERN will further investigate how SWE treatments influence teff responses to drought at the molecular level. Together, these results highlight a strong portfolio of microbial and SWE-based solutions with significant potential to improve drought resilience in teff. Future OMICS studies within BOOSTER will help clarify the underlying mechanisms, including the role of beneficial metabolites, signalling proteins, and drought-responsive pathways that support plant adaptation under water stress.