Plant-associated soil microbes are gaining significant research interest due to their key contribution to sustainable agriculture in recent decades. There are currently microbe-based technologies well adopted globally as a safe alternative to chemical fertilizers. In nature, microbial complexities are associated continuously with plant diversity and geographic location. Microbes (bacteria and fungi) are directly and indirectly allied with plant growth in all developmental stages (before sowing to post-harvest). Microbes are the plant helper that improve soil fertility via nutrient cycling, protect plants from biotic factors (pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and insects), and develop resistance against abiotic factors (low nutrient, salinity level, drought, and heavy metals). Microbial interventions have also recently been utilised in biochar engineering, as well as heavy metal decontamination to reduce environmental pollution.
In order to efficiently utilize microbes in sustainable agriculture approaches, these complex associations between plants and microbes need to be deciphered in their entirety. Microbes present in the plant rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and endosphere regulate many essential biological and biogeochemical processes. Identification and quantification of these agriculturally important microbes reveals the huge diversity of plant-associated microbial species, and how communities can vary depending upon geographical location and environmental conditions. Notably it can lead to the identification of microbial species which benefit plant growth and survival. However, global warming, climate change, and the adopted agronomical practices significantly impact on microbial communities and their functions. Thus, modern strategies of sustainable agriculture need to develop cutting-edge technologies which can help utilise and adapt microbial communities for improved plant growth conditions in order to ensure future food security and crop quality.
With this Research Topic, we aim to cover valuable information on microbial functions and utilization for sustainable agriculture and provide new insights into plant- microbes' interactions and their functions in plant growth and development.
This Research Topic welcomes, but is not limited to, Original Research, Review, Mini-Review and Opinion submissions on the following topics:
- Microbial use in agricultural interventions (bio-control, nutrient cycling and soil characteristic improvement)
- Microbial use in biochar engineering
- Microbial use in pollutant decontamination
- Characterization of beneficial plant-associated microbes
Plant-associated soil microbes are gaining significant research interest due to their key contribution to sustainable agriculture in recent decades. There are currently microbe-based technologies well adopted globally as a safe alternative to chemical fertilizers. In nature, microbial complexities are associated continuously with plant diversity and geographic location. Microbes (bacteria and fungi) are directly and indirectly allied with plant growth in all developmental stages (before sowing to post-harvest). Microbes are the plant helper that improve soil fertility via nutrient cycling, protect plants from biotic factors (pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and insects), and develop resistance against abiotic factors (low nutrient, salinity level, drought, and heavy metals). Microbial interventions have also recently been utilised in biochar engineering, as well as heavy metal decontamination to reduce environmental pollution.
In order to efficiently utilize microbes in sustainable agriculture approaches, these complex associations between plants and microbes need to be deciphered in their entirety. Microbes present in the plant rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and endosphere regulate many essential biological and biogeochemical processes. Identification and quantification of these agriculturally important microbes reveals the huge diversity of plant-associated microbial species, and how communities can vary depending upon geographical location and environmental conditions. Notably it can lead to the identification of microbial species which benefit plant growth and survival. However, global warming, climate change, and the adopted agronomical practices significantly impact on microbial communities and their functions. Thus, modern strategies of sustainable agriculture need to develop cutting-edge technologies which can help utilise and adapt microbial communities for improved plant growth conditions in order to ensure future food security and crop quality.
With this Research Topic, we aim to cover valuable information on microbial functions and utilization for sustainable agriculture and provide new insights into plant- microbes' interactions and their functions in plant growth and development.
This Research Topic welcomes, but is not limited to, Original Research, Review, Mini-Review and Opinion submissions on the following topics:
- Microbial use in agricultural interventions (bio-control, nutrient cycling and soil characteristic improvement)
- Microbial use in biochar engineering
- Microbial use in pollutant decontamination
- Characterization of beneficial plant-associated microbes
