Indigenous beneficial microorganism screening for maize and soybean fields in West Africa

Overview

This research program focuses on screening indigenous beneficial soil microorganisms, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia, from maize and soybean fields across Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The goal is to identify and characterize native microbial strains that form symbiotic relationships with crops, improving plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. By leveraging locally adapted microorganisms rather than imported commercial strains, the program aims to develop microbial inoculants tailored to West African agroecological conditions, supporting sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

Technical specifications

• Rhizosphere soil sampling conducted in maize and soybean fields across three West African countries (Ghana, Togo, and Benin) to capture geographic and agroecological diversity
• Isolation and identification of novel AMF spores from field sites and trap cultures to capture species that may not sporulate under standard conditions
• Determination of AMF root colonization rates to quantify symbiotic establishment in maize and soybean roots
• Assessment of spore density (number of spores per gram of soil) and species richness to characterize native microbial diversity
• Molecular identification and characterization of AMF in crop roots at field sites using DNA-based techniques for precise taxonomic classification
• Scientific basis: Rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen inside legume root nodules, while AM fungi colonize over 80% of plant species and provide enhanced nutrient uptake, drought tolerance, and pathogen resistance
• Prior validation: Previous work in Togo demonstrated that commercial AMF strains (Funneliformis mosseae and Glomus dussii) suppressed nematode populations and improved yields in yam, and four novel AMF isolates were recovered from yam soils

Technology readiness level

The program is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Prior proof-of-concept work in Togo has demonstrated the feasibility of AMF isolation and shown efficacy of AMF inoculation for nematode suppression and yield improvement in yam. The current proposal extends this work to maize and soybean systems and introduces molecular characterization methods. The next phase involves field-based sampling, spore isolation, colonization assessment, and molecular identification. Further validation, including greenhouse and field trials with selected indigenous strains, will be needed to advance toward a deployable microbial inoculant product.