Translational research on the endophytic microbiome of forest trees

Abstract

The concept of translational research refers to the process of harnessing knowledge from basic sciences to impacts beyond the academy. The process involves the transfer of knowledge over three major gaps: first, from knowledge generation to interpretation; second, from interpretation to implementation; and third, from implementation to impacts. In this chapter, we discuss how this process, usually described for medical and health care research, applies to the current research on the microbiomes of forest trees. The discussion is timely because while scientific knowledge about the potential of microbiome engineering to support tree resistance against pests and pathogens is rapidly increasing, practical solutions based on the utilization of the microbiome in forest protection have remained rare. Using the concept of translational research as a framework, we identify some major challenges in the translational process and suggest strategies to overcome them.

Keywords

Beneficial microbes; Forest pests and diseases; Forest protection; Priority effects; Science-society interface

Published in

Title: Forest Microbiology : Tree Microbiome: Phyllosphere, Endosphere, and Rhizosphere, Volume 1
Publisher: Elsevier

SLU Authors

• Witzell, Johanna

  • Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Romeralo, Carmen

  • Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822542-4.00015-2
• ISBN: 978-0-12-822542-4

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/129815