In natural ecosystems, close interactions between plants and microorganisms directly influence essential physiological processes such as plant growth, development, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. At the same time, soil is a living ecosystem, with its health relying on the intricate interactions between abiotic and biotic components. These delicate balances, formed through multi-layered networks, ensure the stability and continuity of soil functions and are essential for soil management and conservation. A deeper understanding of plant-soil-microbe interactions is vital for enhancing plant and soil health and resilience. Arid zones, which cover 41% of the Earth's land area, are among the most sensitive to climate change and human activities due to their vulnerability and low stability. However, the fundamental ecological processes underlying plant-soil-microbe interactions in these regions are still poorly understood and urgently require further study.

The aim of this research topic is to investigate the complex network of genetic, biochemical, physical, and metabolic interactions between microbial communities and the plant and soil environments and to reveal the feedback of plant-soil interactions mediated by soil microorganisms and their impacts on plant health adaptations and soil ecosystem functions. Key topics addressed include the diversity and functional characterization of microbial communities along the soil-plant continuum, the influence of plant-soil-microbial interactions on the assembly of plant-associated microbial community assembly, beneficial trait regulation, and ecological adaptations to environmental change and stress, and microbially-mediated changes in soil properties and quality. Through this exploration, our goal is to establish a solid scientific foundation for promoting effective ecological governance, restoration, and biodiversity conservation, employing alternative pathways of microbiome management and regulation to cope with soil threats and global change, thereby improving plant adaptation and productivity.

Specific topics include, but are not limited to:
- Mechanisms of microbial involvement in abiotic stress responses of plants and maintenance of soil function
- The symbiotic dynamics between plant diversity, microbial diversity, and soil properties
- The adaptation of plant-microbial diversity relationships to drought and salinity stress
- Assembly of microbial communities and their contribution to plant health and fitness
- Physiological response of plants to microbial-mediated changes in soil properties
- Microorganisms' role in regulating nutrient cycling in soil and plants
- Collaborative influence of climate and human activities on the plant-soil-microbial relationships

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Frontiers in Plant Science

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