The plant microbiome and its importance for plant and human health

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Editorial

17 September 2014

The plant microbiome and its importance for plant and human health

Gabriele Berg

,

Martin Grube

,

Michael Schloter

and

Kornelia Smalla

29,888 views

136 citations

Editors

4

University of Graz

Michael Schloter

Helmholtz Center München, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HZ)

Kornelia Smalla

Julius Kühn-Institut - Braunschweig

Graz University of Technology

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About

The study of plant-microbe associations by new techniques has significantly improved our understanding of the structure and specificity of the plant microbiome. Yet, microbiome function and the importance of the plant’s microbiome in the context of human and plant health are largely unexplored. Comparable with our human microbiome, millions of microbes inhabit plants, forming complex ecological communities that influence plant growth and health through its collective metabolic activities and host interactions. Viewing the microbiota from an ecological perspective can provide insight into how to promote plant health and stress tolerance of their hosts or how to adapt to a changing climate by targeting this microbial community. Moreover, the plant microbiome has a substantial impact on human health by influencing our gut microbiome by eating raw plants such as lettuce and herbs and but also by influencing the microbiome of our environment through airflow. This research topic will highlight the current knowledge regarding plant microbiomes, their specificity, diversity and function. Especially welcome are articles focused on the microbiomes of fresh edible plants and their impact on human health. Furthermore all applied aspects studying the management of plant microbiomes to enhance plant growth, health quality and stress tolerance are encouraged.

The study of plant-microbe associations by new techniques has significantly improved our understanding of the structure and specificity of the plant microbiome. Yet, microbiome function and the importance of the plant’s microbiome in the context of human and plant health are largely unexplored. Comparable with our human microbiome, millions of microbes inhabit plants, forming complex ecological communities that influence plant growth and health through its collective metabolic activities and host interactions. Viewing the microbiota from an ecological perspective can provide insight into how to promote plant health and stress tolerance of their hosts or how to adapt to a changing climate by targeting this microbial community. Moreover, the plant microbiome has a substantial impact on human health by influencing our gut microbiome by eating raw plants such as lettuce and herbs and but also by influencing the microbiome of our environment through airflow. This research topic will highlight the current knowledge regarding plant microbiomes, their specificity, diversity and function. Especially welcome are articles focused on the microbiomes of fresh edible plants and their impact on human health. Furthermore all applied aspects studying the management of plant microbiomes to enhance plant growth, health quality and stress tolerance are encouraged.

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Editors

University of Graz

Michael Schloter

Helmholtz Center München, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HZ)

Kornelia Smalla

Julius Kühn-Institut - Braunschweig

Graz University of Technology

Impact

370,125 Total views

274,231 Article views

66,509 Article downloads

29,385 Topic views

Published In

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Frontiers in Microbiology

Plant Pathogen Interactions

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Plant Science

Plant Pathogen Interactions

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