During the Microbial Mystery Quest, conducted as a team activity within the fall TRR356 retreat in 2023, participants explored the forest to uncover the hidden world of plant-microbe interactions. Within 90 minutes, teams completed five quests ranging from identifying cryptogamic covers and saprophytes to finding ectomycorrhizal fungi, root nodule symbioses, and pathogenic interactions. Discoveries were documented through photographs and evaluated by a student jury, with bonus points awarded for especially creative solutions. The quest offered a playful yet insightful way to engage with microbial life in forest ecosystems. Here are some images from their exploration.
