Roots of resistance: Unraveling microbiome-driven plant immunity

Abstract

The intricate interplay between microbiome and plant immunity represents a frontier in plant biology with significant implications for agriculture and ecosystem management. This review explores intricate relationship between plant immunity and the microbiome, highlighting its significance in addressing current agricultural and environmental challenges. The plant immune system, comprising pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI), plays crucial role in shaping microbial communities in the rhizosphere. Phytohormones such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene are the key modulators of plant defenses and contribute to rhizosphere microbiome composition. The concept of defense priming and plant immune memory emerges as a promising avenue for enhancing crop resilience against phytopathogens and environmental stresses. Root exudates and plant defense signatures actively influence rhizosphere microbiome structure, establishing a bidirectional relationship between plants and their microbial partners. This interaction is particularly relevant in the context of climate change, where plants face increasing biotic and abiotic stresses. Understanding and leveraging these complex interactions holds promise for developing more sustainable agricultural practices, reducing reliance on chemical inputs, and ensuring food security in the face of global challenges. We have stressed upon the importance of viewing the plant-soil-microbiome system as an integrated unit or holobiont. As agriculture grapples with the challenges of feeding a growing population under changing environmental conditions, harnessing the power of plant-microbiome interactions presents a promising strategy for improving food security and promoting ecosystem health.