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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #340839
Title: Metabarcoding: a powerful tool to investigate microbial communities and shape future plant protection strategies

Author
item ABDELFATTAH, AHMED - University Of Reggio Calabria
item MALACRINO, ANTONINO - University Of Reggio Calabria
item Wisniewski, Michael
item CACCIOLA, SANTA - University Of Catania
item SCHENA, LEONARDO - University Of Reggio Calabria

Submitted to: BioControl
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/16/2017
Publication Date: 7/17/2017
Citation: Abdelfattah, A., Malacrino, A., Wisniewski, M.E., Cacciola, S.O., Schena, L. 2017. Metabarcoding: a powerful tool to investigate microbial communities and shape future plant protection strategies. Biocontrol. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2017.07.009.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Microorganisms are the main drivers shaping the functioning and equilibrium of all ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling, primary production, litter decomposition, and multi-trophic interactions. Knowledge about the microbial assemblies in specific ecological niches is pivotal to understand how they function, and becomes essential when the microbiota interacts with human activities, such as protecting crops against pests and diseases. Metabarcoding has proven to be a valuable tool for studying the microbial diversity of different environments and has been utilized in many research endeavors. Here we summarize the current status of metabarcoding technologies, the advantages and challenges in utilizing this technique, and how this pioneer approach is being applied to plant pathology and pests, with a focus on plant protection and biological control. Current and future developments in this technology will foster a more comprehensive understanding of microbial ecology, and the development of new, innovative pest control strategies.