The Effect of Soil Microbes on Plant Growth and Crop Protection
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Microbe Interactions".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 3845
Special Issue Editors
Interests: molecular biology; microbiology; agriculture
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Soil microbes play a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of plant growth and crop protection, exerting important influences on agricultural ecosystems. This Special Issue promotes the publication of current research on the multifaceted interactions between soil microbes and plants that sheds light on their significance in agriculture and potential applications for sustainable crop production.
Historically, the symbiotic relationships between plants and beneficial soil microbes, such as mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria, have been applied to crops. These microbial partners form intricate networks with plant roots, facilitating nutrient uptake and enhancing plant growth. Their involvement in nutrient cycling and the release of growth-promoting substances underscores their indispensable role in augmenting crop productivity.
Moreover, soil microbes have significant potential to sustain crop protection against pathogens and pests. Activating induced systemic resistance (ISR) and induced systemic acquired resistance (SAR) pathways with certain beneficial microbes fortifies plants' immune responses, enabling them to withstand infections. Additionally, producing antimicrobial compounds via soil microbes acts as a natural defense mechanism against a spectrum of plant pathogens, reducing their reliance on chemical pesticides.
Furthermore, this Special Issue explores soil microbial communities' effects on plant stress tolerance. Soil microbes have been shown to mitigate abiotic stresses, such as drought and salinity, through osmoprotection and hormonal regulation. As climate change continues to pose challenges to agriculture, understanding and harnessing the potential of soil microbes in stress alleviation becomes increasingly crucial for ensuring food security.
In conclusion, the influence of soil microbes on plant growth and crop protection is an intricate web of relationships that necessitates a comprehensive understanding for sustainable agricultural practices. Thus, we aim to promote and publish cutting-edge research on the role of microbes in the agricultural setting.
Dr. Vanessa Nessner Kavamura
Dr. Rodrigo Gouvêa Taketani
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- soil microbes
- soil microbial communities
- plant growth
- crop protection
- agriculture
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