Forests, both natural and planted, are complex and dynamic ecosystems, in which occur a multitude of belowground interactions between plants and soil microbes. Positive and negative plant-microbe interactions impact the productivity and sustainability of the forests. In agricultural soils, plant-microbe interactions are being studied more intensely, resulting in technological solutions that are already available to agricultures. In forests, plant-microbial interactions are far less studied and represent a production bottleneck, either for companies and farmers who commercially explore planted forests or for sustainable utilization or recovery of natural forests.

Forests are key environments for sustainable economic development on our planet. From an economic point of view, they directly contribute to natural or processed products, such as wood and cellulose. From an environmental point of view, they collaborate with the preservation of biodiversity, acting as a refuge for native flora and fauna. In addition, they promote carbon sequestration and preserve the quality of soil, air, and water. As pointed out by FAO, human population will grow by 30 percent over the next two decades and land must be managed more effectively and forests can help this aim, by efficiently producing forest goods, and by quickly restoring ecosystem functions in degraded lands. In this context, knowing the diversity and microbial activity under different forest management, identifying positive and negative interactions between microbes and forest species, and using these microorganisms as technological tools can make forest production more efficient and environmentally friendly, from seed germination or the rooting of cuttings for the production of seedlings until the end of the cycle.

This Research Topic aims to showcase how plants and microbes interact in forest environments. Thus, we consider studies addressing the following topics among others:

• Forest management and their effect on microbial activity and diversity, including metagenomic approaches, and the consequent reflex on forest behavior.
• Beneficial microbes and plant promoting activities, including rhizobial symbiosis, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and PGPRs
• Pathogens affecting forestry trees and their control.

We welcome all types of articles, including Original Research, Methods, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Perspectives, and thought-provoking Opinions.

Please note that descriptive studies and those defining gene families or descriptive collection of transcripts, proteins, or metabolites, will not be considered for review unless they are expanded and provide mechanistic and/or physiological insights into the biological system or process being studied.

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Frontiers in Plant Science

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