The current population of the Earth, which is approximately 7.88 billion, is projected to reach 9.8 billion by the year 2050. In order to accommodate this growth, it is crucial that we prepare for the increased demand for food. However, the agricultural industry continues to rely heavily on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. These practices have severe environmental consequences, leading to a decline in the diversity of soil microorganisms, which can ultimately harm food production. This situation is further complicated by climate change, deteriorating soil health, and other stressors. Here, microbial-mediated induced resistance (MIR) is an intriguing area of study in agriculture that explores the potential of microbes to sustain plant resistance to pathogens. This methodology utilizes specific microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, to trigger a systemic response in plants, thus enhancing their defense mechanisms against disease. The impact of MIR on crop health can be substantial and provide sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical-based techniques for disease management. Advancing research into the study of microbes in sustainable agriculture will generate interest in adopting novel methods that increase crop yield, soil health, and fertility.

Through this Research Topic we aim to showcase the most recent insights about plant-soil-microbes, which play a significant role in microbial-mediated induced resistance. Specifically, we are interested in the rhizospheric soil dynamics and nutrient acquisition contributing to plant growth and development. Soil microbes are crucial for plant nutrient uptake, inducing Induced Systemic Resistance, and managing stressful climatic conditions through plant signaling compounds and crosstalk mechanisms. Beneficial symbiotic microorganisms and other soil microbial interactions with plant roots help to utilize nutrients efficiently and induce plant defense mechanisms for sustainable production.

Topics welcomed into this Research Topic:
- Mechanisms of plant defense
- Induced Systemic Resistance by Beneficial Microbes
- Soil biodiversity and microbial community
- Phytohormone signaling pathways
- Soil nutrient dynamics and nutrients transport
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

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Frontiers in Microbiology

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