About this Research Topic
Our goal for this Research Topic is to provide a forum for cutting-edge research in the study of microbial ecosystems in crop production. Significant technological and analytical progress has been made in recent years that has shed light on the diverse array of microorganisms that are associated with agricultural plants, yet significant gaps remain in the exploitation of these discoveries for the benefit of crop production. Translating microbiome research into agricultural solutions, including agronomic practices, crop pest mitigation, and the identification and application of microbial taxa with beneficial phenotypes is an area of burgeoning interest and significant environmental and economic benefits. In addition, methodologies for data generation and analysis are continually being developed that can provide more complete, unbiased, accurate, and reproducible identification and quantification of microbial taxa, which will facilitate the application of microorganisms in crop production.
We welcome submissions describing original research on the microbial aspects of crop production. Research can include all aspects of microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions that have applications in the health and productivity of agricultural production systems. Research describing the effects of agronomic practices including crop rotation, nutrient application and cycling, crop breeding for microbial traits, and intercropping on the microbial life associated with agricultural plants is also welcome. In addition, research addressing the theme of microbial ecotoxicology, for example, the effects of agricultural chemicals on microbial ecosystems, fits the theme of this Research Topic. Agricultural pathosystems, including the detection and mitigation of plant pathogens in various agricultural ecosystems, are of interest, along with descriptions of novel diagnostic or analytical methods. Finally, the submission of review papers identifying research gaps, providing a historical context for plant microbiome research, or describing promising areas of future research is encouraged.
Keywords: Biocontrol, Phytopathogen, Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria, Agronomic Practices, Crop Microbiome
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.