Algal microbiome engineering to improve soil health
Engineered freshwater microalgal assemblages (dominated by Chlorella sorokiniana) designed to act as plant growth stimulants and biological control agents. This solution leverages algae as beneficial members of the soil microbiome to enhance crop yields, suppress pathogens, and improve abiotic stress tolerance in vegetable and crop production systems.
Overview
This research program focuses on engineering algal microbiome compositions to promote soil health and enhance plant performance. By designing algal assemblages featuring keystone taxa, the team aims to create natural plant protectants and growth stimulants that suppress pathogens and improve crop productivity. Microalgae such as Chlorella sorokiniana and related species have demonstrated the ability to inhibit fungal pathogens, increase shoot biomass, boost grain yield, and accelerate seed germination across a range of vegetables and cereals. The approach offers a sustainable, biologically based alternative or complement to conventional chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural systems.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Cultivation and stabilization of a freshwater microalgal assemblage dominated by Chlorella sorokiniana at pilot scale
- Application of algal cultures as root drenches or soil amendments to deliver bioactive metabolites directly to the rhizosphere
- Evaluation of pathogen inhibition, seed germination, and seedling growth responses in target crops
- Monitoring of soil microbial community shifts using 16S rRNA and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) ribosomal RNA sequencing
- Assessment of plant biochemical properties to link microbial changes with physiological outcomes
Key features:
- Chlorella species produce natural antimicrobial compounds effective against fungal pathogens
- Algal metabolites have been shown to improve shoot weight and grain yield in soybean
- Chlorella fusca has promoted germination and seedling growth in barley, wheat, lettuce, pepper, melon, cucumber, perilla, onion, radish, and turnip
- The selected assemblage has demonstrated long-term cultivation stability, supporting consistent product performance
Technology readiness level
The underlying science is supported by published laboratory and pilot-scale evidence demonstrating the stability of the selected microalgal assemblage and its beneficial effects on plant growth and pathogen suppression. The team has confirmed cultivation stability at pilot scale and documented crop-specific responses across multiple vegetable and cereal species. Near-term validation efforts will include controlled algal culture experiments, vegetable germination assays, pathogen inhibition testing, and greenhouse trials, with a planned one-year study timeline. The program is seeking partnership support for microbial community analyses, plant biochemical assessments, and greenhouse testing to advance toward broader field deployment.
About Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a major public land‑grant research university with a comprehensive academic portfolio and a large research enterprise. Industry partners engage through an on‑campus U.S. Department of Energy national user facility and shared core laboratories with user access. The university provides a chemical process scale‑up pilot plant on Michigan’s lakeshore, a research and technology park, and a Grand Rapids health innovation campus linking researchers with clinical partners. A statewide extension network supports field deployment and workforce training across Michigan’s manufacturing corridor. Research is backed by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and DoD, while dedicated tech transfer and corporate engagement teams—supported by an affiliated research foundation—accelerate IP, licensing, startups, and sponsored research.
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