Toward a Microbe-Assisted Crop Production

For a long time, microbial applications in crop production
focused primarily on the symbiosis between mycorrhizal fungi
and plants and the relationship between N2-fixing rhizobia and
legumes. However, plant-associated microorganisms and
microbiomes in general have lately gained immense attention,
and the available information on the ecology and functions of
microbiomes in the soil and plant environment exploded in the
last decade. With this understanding, researchers as well as the
industry have realized the vast potential of microorganisms to be
used in agriculture and most importantly, to make farming more
sustainable. Microorganisms have been shown to be applicable
for plant protection and to improve plant nutrition. As a
consequence, microbiome management can help to replace
agrochemicals and increase environmental and human health.
Furthermore, agriculture is facing various challenges related to
climate change such as drought or emerging pathogens. Also,
for these scenarios, microorganisms may find application to
alleviate various abiotic and biotic stresses