Harnessing Plant Microbiomes: Developing Resilient Microbial Formulations for Crop Growth

The field of plant microbiomes and microbial formulations is gaining significant attention as a sustainable alternative to traditional agrochemicals, which have been shown to negatively impact the environment and human health. Beneficial microorganisms offer a promising solution to enhance crop production through eco-friendly technologies. Despite the potential, there remains a substantial gap in the knowledge required to effectively utilize bacterial formulations to protect plants from pathogens and promote growth. Recent studies have focused on developing microbial formulations that leverage both direct mechanisms, such as nitrogen fixation and phytohormone production, and indirect mechanisms, like the inhibition of phytopathogens through secondary metabolites. However, translating these laboratory successes to field applications has proven challenging, often due to the lack of adaptation of microbial strains to specific environmental conditions. The burgeoning understanding of plant microbiomes, particularly those associated with the rhizosphere and internal plant tissues, has yet to be fully harnessed for agricultural applications. Unlike the gut microbiome, where fecal transplantation has shown success, the scale and complexity of crop production present unique challenges that necessitate a deeper understanding of plant-associated microorganisms.

This research topic aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and field application by advancing our understanding of plant microbiomes and developing effective microbial formulations. The primary objectives include isolating and characterizing novel microorganisms, elucidating the microbial mechanisms that promote plant growth, and designing multispecies microbial formulations that are resilient to various environmental stresses. Specific questions to be addressed include: What are the key microbial species involved in plant growth promotion? How do these microorganisms interact with each other and with the plant host? Can we develop microbial formulations that are effective under diverse field conditions?

To gather further insights into the boundaries of this research, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Isolation and characterization of new microorganisms detected in plant microbiomes.
- Study of microbial mechanisms involved in plant growth, especially when microorganisms interact with other microorganisms and the plant.
- Design of mixed microbial formulations based on microbiomes reported to promote the growth of plants under laboratory, greenhouse, or field conditions.
- Effects of the application of beneficial microorganisms on the plant microbiome.
- Analysis of patents related to the capacity to promote the growth of plants and its relationship with plant microbiomes.