Fruit crop production depends on healthy flowers and frequent pollinator visits, both of which are influenced by microbes living in floral nectar and pollen. While some of these microbes are harmful pathogens, others protect plants and pollinators and support crop health. The anthosphere (the space where flowers, pollinators, and microbes interact) is still poorly understood but holds great potential to increase yields, reduce pesticide use, and support biodiversity.

ANTHOBIOME explores how plants, pollinators and farming methods influence the presence of microbes in apple and pear flowers, how they are transferred by pollinators, and what this means for the spread of diseases and fruit production. Focusing on apples and pears (key crops in Switzerland) we aim to identify which microbes are beneficial, where they come from, and how pollinators help spread them. In this project we are building tools to understand complex interactions, which could help us develop microbe-based strategies to grow more resilient, productive and sustainable crops.