Missing symbionts – emerging pathogens? Microbiome management for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Plant diversification and co-evolution shaped the plant microbiome and vice versa. This resulted in a specific composition of the plant microbiome and a strong connection with the host in terms of functional interplay. Symbionts are part of the microbiota, and important for the plant’s germination and growth, nutrition, as well as stress protection. However, human activities in the Anthropocene are linked to a significant shift of diversity, evenness and specificity of the plant microbiota. In addition, and very importantly, many plant symbionts are missing or no longer functional. It will require targeted microbiome management to support and reintroduce them. In future agriculture, we should aim at replacing harmful chemicals in the field, as well as post-harvest, by using precision microbiome engineering. This is because the plant microbiome is connected across systems and crucial for human and planetary health. This commentary aims to inspire holistic studies for the development of solutions for sustainable agriculture in framework of the One Health and the Planetary Health concepts.

Co‐evolution within the plant holobiont drives host performance

“…Contrary to the definition of “meta‐organism” that implies specificity of time and place and a function for each member, a holobiont represents a eukaryotic host with all external and internal associates, regardless of their stability and functionality (Jaspers et al , 2019 ). A contrasting and more specific definition of the “plant holobiont” implies evolutionary selection between plants and microorganisms, contributing to an overall stability of the system (Trivedi et al , 2020 ; Lyu et al , 2021 ; Berg et al , 2023 ). Since stable associations concern only a fraction of the interactions in the plant holobiont, we adopt the former holobiont definition and consider that co‐evolution occurs within plant holobionts, although it may not involve all members.…”

Features of phytoextraction of rare earth elements by a complex of plants and microorganisms from technogenically polluted wastewater of mining enterprises

“…Promising objects in the development of agrobiotechnological approaches to phytoextraction can be rhizosphere microorganisms that stimulate plant growth (PGPR from Plant Growth Promotion Rhizobacteria) and form stable symbiotic microbial-plant complexes (SMPC) [3][4][5]. The direct effect of symbionts on plant growth and development is associated with the fact that they are able to increase the availability of mineral nutrition elements for plants, enhance the formation of metabolites with hormonal and signaling functions (auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins), etc., as well as reduce the impact of pathogens on plants microorganisms [6][7][8]. According to the literature, microorganisms, in addition to the ability to increase the mobility of metals in the soil, are also capable of increasing the content of metals in plants by increasing plant biomass and activating the mobility of elements [9][10].…”