{
  "id": 3114681,
  "title": "Bacteria from ancestral wheat microbiomes help protect plants against root rot fungus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/bacteria-from-ancestral-wheat-microbiomes-help-protect-plants-against",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-24T21:20:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-bacteria-ancestral-wheat-microbiomes-root.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brazilian researchers have discovered that specific bacteria from ancestral wheat microbiomes can protect plants against root rot fungus. In a study published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, scientists from EMBRAPA and the University of São Paulo found that three bacteria - Streptomyces virginiae, Paenibacillus ottowii, and Pseudomonas inefficax - significantly reduced root rot symptoms in wheat plants. While the pathogen remained present in both diseased and healthy plants, the bacteria created a \"microbiological shield\" that prevented the fungus from causing disease. The findings could lead to the development of inoculants to protect wheat crops from root rot.",
  "summary": "In the journal npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, researchers from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) and the University of São Paulo (USP) describe the role of three bacteria in suppressing a soil-borne wheat pathogen that causes root rot. The study paves the way for the development of inoculants that can be used in agriculture.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}