Klaus Schlaeppi

Papers

Total Citations

1,035

H-Index

About

Klaus Schlaeppi is a leading figure in plant-microbe interactions, whose work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of how microbial communities drive sustainable agriculture. His research centers on the assembly and function of the plant microbiome, particularly how root-associated bacteria and fungi influence crop health and nutrient acquisition. Schlaeppi’s major contribution lies in defining the concept of “core microbiomes”—the stable, essential microbial taxa consistently associated with plants across environments. His landmark 2018 paper, “Core microbiomes for sustainable agroecosystems,” has garnered over 1,035 citations, cementing its role as a foundational text in the field. By demonstrating that these core communities can be harnessed to reduce chemical inputs and enhance resilience, he has bridged fundamental ecology with practical agronomy. Schlaeppi’s work is notable for its rigorous meta-analyses and field experiments, which have identified key microbial players in nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. His achievements include advancing the design of microbial inoculants and shaping policy discussions on microbiome-based crop management. For students and researchers, Schlaeppi offers a compelling model of how basic microbial ecology can be translated into scalable solutions for global food security.