Plant-associated microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) positively and negatively impact global agriculture. The association is complex and dynamic, and the microbial communities are changing regularly with key environmental and human factors. In general, the plant-microbe association or interaction in the ecosystems can be beneficial or pathogenic, in nature. Microbes can provide benefits to plant health and productivity through direct and/or indirect mechanisms such as improved nitrogen availability provided by rhizobial bacteria through fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, nutrient transfer by mycorrhizal fungi, stress mitigation, antagonistic activity against pathogens and growth stimulation. Pathogenic associations, however, are detrimental to plant growth and yield loss, globally. Climate change (high temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels) is predicted to cause pathogen shifts into new agroclimatic zones leading to incidences of new disease complexes in new areas. Accurate identification and taxonomy/classification as well as the genetic make-up of beneficial and pathogenic plant-associated microorganisms are key for their successful deployment as candidate strains for improving plant health and productivity, or as an essential first step for selection of effective management strategies of new and old plant diseases.
In this Research Topic, we encourage the submission of manuscripts on the diversity, taxonomy/systematics and genome-based identification of beneficial and pathogenic plant-associated bacteria, fungi and viruses, providing valuable scientific insight or contribution to the field. With the advent of next generation sequencing technologies coupled with reliable bioinformatics tools, genome-based studies are encouraged but Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) with, at least, seven genes are also acceptable.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Methods or Opinion articles. Manuscripts dealing with new taxa will be considered if it includes data of an in-depth analysis of gene content, e.g. effectors, secretion systems, secondary metabolites etc.
Submissions on the following subjects are encouraged, but not limited to:
• Phylogenetic and genome-based taxonomic/systematics studies of the diversity of plant-associated beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, fungi, or viruses;
• Genomic and metagenomic studies of uncultured plant-associated bacteria, fungi or viruses.
Plant-associated microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) positively and negatively impact global agriculture. The association is complex and dynamic, and the microbial communities are changing regularly with key environmental and human factors. In general, the plant-microbe association or interaction in the ecosystems can be beneficial or pathogenic, in nature. Microbes can provide benefits to plant health and productivity through direct and/or indirect mechanisms such as improved nitrogen availability provided by rhizobial bacteria through fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, nutrient transfer by mycorrhizal fungi, stress mitigation, antagonistic activity against pathogens and growth stimulation. Pathogenic associations, however, are detrimental to plant growth and yield loss, globally. Climate change (high temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels) is predicted to cause pathogen shifts into new agroclimatic zones leading to incidences of new disease complexes in new areas. Accurate identification and taxonomy/classification as well as the genetic make-up of beneficial and pathogenic plant-associated microorganisms are key for their successful deployment as candidate strains for improving plant health and productivity, or as an essential first step for selection of effective management strategies of new and old plant diseases.
In this Research Topic, we encourage the submission of manuscripts on the diversity, taxonomy/systematics and genome-based identification of beneficial and pathogenic plant-associated bacteria, fungi and viruses, providing valuable scientific insight or contribution to the field. With the advent of next generation sequencing technologies coupled with reliable bioinformatics tools, genome-based studies are encouraged but Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) with, at least, seven genes are also acceptable.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Methods or Opinion articles. Manuscripts dealing with new taxa will be considered if it includes data of an in-depth analysis of gene content, e.g. effectors, secretion systems, secondary metabolites etc.
Submissions on the following subjects are encouraged, but not limited to:
• Phylogenetic and genome-based taxonomic/systematics studies of the diversity of plant-associated beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, fungi, or viruses;
• Genomic and metagenomic studies of uncultured plant-associated bacteria, fungi or viruses.