Can a Fungus Save Plants from Global Warming? | I Contain Multitudes

Summary

Microbiologist Rusty Rodriguez and his colleague Regina Redmond discovered a symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi that enhances heat tolerance. They found that certain grasses thrive in extreme heat due to a specific fungus, Curvularia protuberata. This relationship is not unique to Yellowstone but is a global phenomenon. Exploring this symbiosis, they started a company to enhance crop resilience in a warming world, potentially revolutionizing agriculture.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Plants have their own microbiomes, similar to how humans and animals do, filled with bacteria and fungi.
• 🍄 Rusty Rodriguez, a microbiologist, focuses on the role of fungi in the plant microbiome, particularly microscopic fungi.
• 🔥 Rusty and his colleague Regina Redmond discovered that certain grasses, like tropical panic grass, can thrive in extreme heat near geysers in Yellowstone.
• 🌡️ The panic grass was found to grow in soil temperatures up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cook a turkey.
• 🧪 Rusty and Regina conducted experiments to understand how these grasses evolved to withstand such heat, focusing on the fungi living inside the plant.
• 🤔 They found that the same fungus, Curvularia protuberata, was present in all the plants they collected, raising questions about its role in heat tolerance.
• 🔬 Experiments showed that neither the fungus nor the plant could survive above a certain temperature when separated, indicating a symbiotic relationship.
• 🤝 The symbiosis between the plant and fungus is crucial for their survival in extreme conditions; they rely on each other to thrive.
• 🌳 Rusty and Regina's research suggests that this symbiotic relationship is not unique to Yellowstone but is a widespread phenomenon in various habitats.
• 🍉 They demonstrated that introducing specific fungi to plants like watermelon can make them heat tolerant within 24 hours, highlighting the potential for enhancing crop resilience.
• 🌱 The discovery has broader implications, as it could help make crops more resilient in a warming world, potentially increasing food security.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Rusty Rodriguez's research?

Rusty Rodriguez is a microbiologist who specializes in studying the microbiome of plants, particularly focusing on fungi.

How does Rusty Rodriguez describe the relationship between plants and microbes?

Rusty Rodriguez describes plants as 'veg bags full of bacteria and fungi,' similar to how animals are 'meat bags full of bacteria.'

What discovery did Rusty Rodriguez and Regina Redmond make in Yellowstone National Park?

They discovered that tropical panic grass, living on the edge of geysers and hot springs, had a symbiotic relationship with a specific fungus, Curvularia protuberata, which helped the grass survive in extremely hot soil temperatures.

What was the surprising result of the experiment where the Curvularia fungus was separated from the panic grass?

The experiment showed that neither the fungus nor the plant could grow above a certain temperature when separated, indicating their mutual dependence for survival in extreme heat.

How does the symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi help them cope with stress?

The fungi communicate with the plant in a way that helps the plant remain calm and less stressed during periods of stress, such as extreme heat.

What was the outcome when Rusty and Regina introduced a similar fungus to watermelon plants?

The watermelon plants became heat tolerant within 24 hours of being sprayed with the fungus, demonstrating the potential for introducing new symbioses to enhance plant resilience.

What broader applications does Rusty Rodriguez see for his discovery of plant-fungi symbiosis?

Rusty Rodriguez sees potential in using fungi to make crop plants more resilient in a warming world, potentially helping to ensure food security in the face of climate change.

What safety concerns were addressed regarding the use of fungi in agriculture?

Rusty Rodriguez and his team have conducted extensive research on the ecology of the fungi, testing for toxicity and pathogenicity, to ensure that they are safe for use in agriculture.

What are the benefits of the fungi that Rusty Rodriguez and his team are working with in agriculture?

The fungi they are working with confer heat tolerance, drought tolerance, and salt tolerance to plants, which are crucial for enhancing plant resilience in various environmental conditions.

How long have Rusty Rodriguez and his team been field testing their approach to enhancing plant resilience?

They have been field testing their approach around the world for the last five years, with remarkable results.

What is the significance of the symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi in the context of global challenges like climate change?

The symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi could play a crucial role in making plants more resilient to extreme conditions, thereby helping to secure food supply in the face of a changing climate and increasing global population.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 The Symbiotic Relationship Between Plants and Fungi

This paragraph introduces Rusty Rodriguez, a microbiologist who studies the plant microbiome, particularly focusing on fungi. It discusses the similarities between the microbiomes of humans and plants, with a humorous analogy comparing humans to 'meat bags full of bacteria' and plants to 'veg bags full of bacteria and fungi.' The main discovery of Rodriguez and his colleague, Regina Redmond, is highlighted: certain grasses in Yellowstone National Park, known as tropical panic grass, thrive in extremely hot conditions, up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, alongside thermophiles. The duo's research suggests that these grasses have a symbiotic relationship with a specific fungus, Curvularia protuberata, which may contribute to their heat tolerance. The paragraph concludes with the revelation that both the plant and the fungus require each other to survive in high temperatures, challenging the idea of individual adaptation to stress.

05:01

🌡 Harnessing Symbiosis for Climate Resilience in Crops

The second paragraph delves into the potential applications of the symbiotic relationship discovered in the first paragraph. Rusty and Regina explore the possibility of introducing new symbioses to make plants more heat tolerant, as demonstrated by an experiment with watermelons that quickly gained heat tolerance after being sprayed with fungi similar to those found in the panic grass. The significance of this discovery is underscored by its potential to enhance crop resilience in a warming world. The duo has since started a company to apply their findings in agriculture, focusing on fungi that confer heat, drought, and salt tolerance to plants. They have been field testing these applications globally for five years with remarkable results. The paragraph also addresses safety concerns regarding the use of fungi, noting that the species they work with have been tested for toxicity and pathogenicity. The narrative concludes by emphasizing the importance of cooperation in the biological realm and the potential impact of these symbiotic relationships on global food security and climate change mitigation.

Keywords

💡Microbiome

The microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that live in or on a host organism. In the context of the video, the plant microbiome is emphasized, highlighting the crucial role these microbes play in plant health. The script mentions that plants, like humans and animals, are host to a diverse range of microbes, which are integral to their survival and well-being.

💡Fungi

Fungi are a group of organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. In the video, fungi are particularly highlighted for their symbiotic relationship with plants. Rusty Rodriguez, the microbiologist featured in the script, specializes in studying these microscopic fungi that are vital to many plant species. The script illustrates this through the example of tropical panic grass, which relies on a specific fungus, Curvularia protuberata, to survive in extreme heat.

💡Thermophiles

Thermophiles are microorganisms that thrive in high-temperature environments. The script discusses the presence of thermophiles in the soils around geysers and hot springs in Yellowstone, where they can survive in extreme heat. This concept is crucial as it sets the stage for the discovery of the tropical panic grass and its associated fungus, which also exhibit heat tolerance.

💡Symbiosis

Symbiosis is a close and long-term biological interaction between two different species. In the video, the term is used to describe the relationship between plants and fungi, where they cooperate to achieve a mutual benefit. The script shows that the tropical panic grass and the Curvularia fungus depend on each other for survival in extreme heat, demonstrating a classic example of symbiotic cooperation.

💡Heat Tolerance

Heat tolerance refers to the ability of an organism to withstand high temperatures without being adversely affected. The video script discusses how the tropical panic grass and certain fungi have evolved to survive in soils with temperatures up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This trait is significant as it allows these organisms to thrive in environments that would be inhospitable to most other plants.

💡Intercellular Spaces

Intercellular spaces are the small gaps between cells within a tissue. In the context of the video, Rusty Rodriguez explains that the fungi live in these interstitial spaces within the plant. This location is crucial for the fungi to interact with the plant and contribute to its heat tolerance, as discovered in the research conducted by Rodriguez and his colleagues.

💡Stress Response

A stress response is the reaction of an organism to adverse environmental conditions. The script suggests that the fungi inside the plant help it to 'chill' and not 'freak out' when faced with stress, such as extreme heat. This communication between the plant and the fungi is hypothesized to be a key factor in their symbiotic relationship and the plant's ability to survive in harsh conditions.

💡Water Use Efficiency

Water use efficiency is a measure of how effectively a plant uses water for growth and survival. The video mentions that plants with the fungus use less water and are less stressed than those without, indicating that the symbiotic relationship with fungi can enhance a plant's water use efficiency. This is particularly important in environments where water is scarce or under stress.

💡Crop Resilience

Crop resilience refers to the ability of crops to withstand adverse conditions, such as extreme temperatures, drought, or salinity. The script discusses how introducing certain fungi to crops like watermelon can make them more heat tolerant, potentially increasing their resilience. This concept is significant as it suggests a way to improve agricultural practices in the face of climate change.

💡Ecology

Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment. The video script mentions that Rusty and Regina have done extensive work looking at the ecology of the organisms involved in their research. This includes testing the fungi for toxicity and pathogenicity, ensuring that their use in agriculture is safe and beneficial.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term changes in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional, and global climates. The video script highlights the impact of climate change on food supply and the potential of using fungi to make crop plants more resilient in a warming world. This underscores the urgency and relevance of the research in the context of global environmental challenges.

Highlights

Rusty Rodriguez is a microbiologist studying the microbiome of plants.

Plants have their own microbes similar to humans, described as 'veg bags full of bacteria and fungi'.

Rusty specializes in studying fungi within the plant microbiome.

Microscopic fungi are crucial for the well-being of many plant species.

Rusty and Regina Redmond discovered grasses with unique heat tolerance near geysers in Yellowstone.

Tropical panic grass was found living in soil temperatures up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rusty and his team collected panic grass samples from Yellowstone to study their heat resistance.

The fungi living inside the panic grass, Curvularia protuberata, was found in all collected plants.

Experiments showed that neither the fungus nor the plant could survive above a certain temperature when separated.

The plant and fungus have a symbiotic relationship, requiring each other to withstand stress.

The fungi communicate with the plant to help it remain calm under stress.

Plants with the fungus use less water and are less stressed than those without.

The symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi is a widespread phenomenon, not limited to Yellowstone.

Rusty and Regina considered introducing new symbioses to crops to improve their heat tolerance.

Watermelons sprayed with fungi from the panic grass became heat tolerant within 24 hours.

Rusty and Regina started a company to explore the broader applications of their discovery.

Their work aims to make crop plants more resilient in a warming world.

The fungi used in their research have been tested for toxicity and pathogenicity, ensuring safety.

Field testing of fungi to confer heat, drought, and salt tolerance to plants has been remarkable.

The potential applications of this research are significant for global food security in the face of climate change.

Transcripts

[MUSIC PLAYING]

ED YONG: This is Rusty Rodriguez.

He is a microbiologist who studies

the microbiome of plants.

Hi, Ed.

Hello, it's very nice to meet you.

ED: Yes, plants have their own microbes too.

RUSTY RODRIGUEZ: Absolutely, and it's not

that dissimilar from humans.

Animals are really nothing more than meat bags

full of bacteria.

Plants are veg bags full of bacteria and fungi.

Rusty specializes in a particular part

of the plant microbiome, fungi.

And not the kind of fungi you would find on a salad

or on a pizza, but this kind.

Microscopic fungi are vital to the well-being

of many species of plants, and in some cases,

they provide the host with superpowers as Rusty

and his colleague, Regina Redmond,

discovered when they went to the hot springs

and geysers of Yellowstone.

They weren't surprised to find the soils

around the geysers saturated with thermophiles, microbes

that can thrive in extreme heat.

But they were surprised to find grasses

with a catchy name of tropical panic grass living

on the edge of the geysers and hot springs.

Most plants can survive in soil above 100 degrees Fahrenheit

but the panic grass was happily making its home in soil

temperatures up to 150 degrees.

Yeah, you could cook turkey in there if you wanted to.

ED: So they collected panic grass samples

from the heated soils of Yellowstone,

and took them back to their lab at Washington State.

And to figure out how these grasses had

evolved to withstand such heat.

And Rusty being a fungi guy--

a fungi-- a guy who studies fungus,

looked at the microbes living inside the plant.

RUSTY: Well, it's really interesting.

These fungi live in water called the interstitial spaces.

They live in-between cells.

ED: And what did you find when you looked at the fungi

in the panic grass?

RUSTY: We probably collected 200 plants across maybe a 40 mile

range in Yellowstone.

But the peculiar part of it was all of the plants

had the same fungus.

Curvularia protuberata.

Exactly, that's exactly right.

And the obvious question to ask was, gee,

I wonder if it has anything to do with heat tolerance?

Time for an experiment.

The simplest experiment anybody could do, right?

So, how high a temperature can they

survive when they're separated from one another?

ED: They separated the Curvularia fungus

from the plant, and then cranked up the heat on each of them

individually.

What we found was that neither the fungus nor the plant

could grow above that temperature.

ED: Wait, so neither of them could survive?

RUSTY: Right.

ED: Were you surprised?

That was a holy [BLEEP] moment.

[LAUGHTER]

It was like, you got to be kidding me, you know.

We discovered that some organisms don't necessarily

adapt to stress.

They require something else, and that something else

is another organism.

Instead of the plant and fungus evolving

by just changing their own genes,

they instead formed a partnership,

a symbiotic relationship.

RUSTY: Right, right.

It is a symbiosis.

It's achievement through cooperation.

They don't work as individuals, right?

They don't survive and function out there

unless they're together.

So do we know how they keep each other alive

in those superheated soils?

Our working hypothesis for all this

is that the fungi, when they're inside the plant,

communicate in such a way that when

the plants are hit with stress, they just don't freak out.

They just, kind of, sit there chill

until the stress goes away.

ED: They saw that plants with the fungus used less water,

and were less stressed than those without.

And is this just a one of a kind thing,

or is it evidence of a larger phenomenon?

We started looking at other habitats, other plant

species with other fungi, and in every habitat

we have looked at, where we could tease the system apart,

take it to the lab, analyze it, look at it,

it came out exactly the same as Yellowstone.

Didn't matter whether it was a salt

habitat, or chemical contamination habitat,

or temperature, or water stress.

ED: In each case it was a different fungus species, not

just Curvularia protuberata.

It seems that all around the world plants and fungi

have found each other, and teamed up

to cope with the most extreme of environments.

So, this got Rusty and Regina thinking.

What about all the plants that have not found

symbiotic partners, like crops?

Many plants struggle to survive in temperatures

above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Could they introduce new symbioses

so that these plants could survive

in much hotter temperatures?

And so they took watermelon, and sprayed it

with fungi much like those found in the panic grass,

and then they turned up the heat.

The watermelons became heat tolerant

within 24 hours of putting the fungus in.

And that's really when we realized the significance

of what we had.

ED: Just think about it, plants and fungus

had never seen each other before,

but within hours of being introduced,

they had gained a new superpower, the ability

to withstand temperatures that would normally

have killed them.

That was a huge moment for us.

If we can put a fungus in a plant,

and give it new functionality in a short period of time,

maybe this has enormous ramifications.

ED: And so Rusty and Regina started a company.

They realized that their discovery

had broader applications.

In a warming world, fungus could be

used to make our crop plants more resilient.

But is it safe?

I know some fungi can produce toxins.

We've done a lot of work looking at the ecology

of the organisms.

We had it tested for toxicity and pathogenicity,

so we lose no sleep over that part.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

We work with different group of fungi now in agriculture,

but they confer heat tolerance, drought tolerance,

and salt tolerance to plants.

So we've been field testing this now,

around the world, for the last five years,

and the results have been just remarkable.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

And the stakes are really high.

We're talking about making sure we can feed the world.

Our population is increasing significantly.

The climate is changing and greatly impacting

our food supply.

ED: It's amazing that something so small

can make such a difference.

The world functions through cooperation.

We achieved things through cooperation.

In the biological realm, it is highlighted dramatically

by the interaction between things we can see,

and things we can't see.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

ED: And our future, our own survival,

might depend on our partnerships with this invisible world.

If that fascinating story about fungi on plants

has left you with burning questions about the usefulness

of microbes in our lives, then leave them

in the comments below.

We answered an earlier set of questions in a Q&A video

from December, which you can watch

by clicking the link below.

And we've got another such video lined up

for you in a couple of weeks.

[MUSIC PLAYING]