Effect of microalgae Chlorella fusca CHK0059 on the microbiota community in nursery strawberry

Chlorella is an autotrophic and eukaryotic microorganism that photosynthesizes using chlorophyll. In the last few decades, green algae (Chlorophyceae) have been evaluated as highly effective biofertilizers in agriculture. Representatively Chlorella vulagris, C. pyrenoidosa, and Scenedesmus obliquus were developed as eco-friendly and effective biofertilizers for many crops. Recently, C. fusca strain CHK0059 has been reported to greatly improve the productivity of various crops, but the mode of action of C. fusca CHK0059 as a biofertilizer and biocontrol agent has remained unveiled. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the strawberry's phenotype was altered and unveil microbiota community shifting by the C. fusca CHK0059 treatment using 16 S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analyses. Total chlorophyll contents per leaf area were 4.38 & mu;g/cm(2) in the control and 6.47 & mu;g/cm(2) in the C. fusca CHK0059 treated group, the rate was 47.71% higher than in untreated strawberries. Microbiota communities in the crown endosphere, and root endosphere were not significantly affected by C. fusca CHK0059 treatment. However, the strawberry rhizosphere microbiota community responded, and microbiota metabolic pathways were also alerted by C. fusca CHK0059. These results provide a new approach to the value and mechanism of microalgae in organic farming.

Automated summary

Green algae have been evaluated as highly effective biofertilizers, and specifically C. fusca CHK0059 has been reported to greatly improve crop productivity. This study evaluated the effects of C. fusca CHK0059 treatment on strawberry phenotypes and microbiota communities. The results showed increased chlorophyll content in the C. fusca CHK0059 treated group, along with altered microbiota in the strawberry rhizosphere.