Plant Microbiome Engineering: Hopes or Hypes

Abstract

Rhizosphere microbiome is a dynamic and complex zone of microbial communities. This complex plant-associated microbial community, usually regarded as the plant’s second genome, plays a crucial role in plant health. It is unquestioned that plant microbiome collectively contributes to plant growth and fitness. It also provides a safeguard from plant pathogens, and induces tolerance in the host against abiotic stressors. The revolution in omics, gene-editing and sequencing tools have somehow led to unravel the compositions and latent interactions between plants and microbes. Similarly, besides standard practices, many biotechnological, (bio)chemical and ecological methods have also been proposed. Such platforms have been solely dedicated to engineer the complex microbiome by untangling the potential barriers, and to achieve better agriculture output. Yet, several limitations, for example, the biological obstacles, abiotic constraints and molecular tools that capably impact plant microbiome engineering and functionality, remained unaddressed problems. In this review, we provide a holistic overview of plant microbiome composition, complexities, and major challenges in plant microbiome engineering. Then, we unearthed all inevitable abiotic factors that serve as bottlenecks by discouraging plant microbiome engineering and functionality. Lastly, by exploring the inherent role of micro/macrofauna, we propose economic and eco-friendly strategies that could be harnessed sustainably and biotechnologically for resilient plant microbiome engineering.

Salinity stress improves antioxidant potential by modulating physio-biochemical responses in Moringa oleifera Lam.

“…These compounds protect and stabilize enzymes and proteins, reduce oxidation of lipid bilayers, work as free radical scavengers, and cell redox balancers, provide sites for carbon and nitrogen storage, and are involved in cytosolic pH regulation 108 . Additionally, these compounds engaged in stress signaling and modulating gene expression under stressful conditions 109 , 110 .…”

Combined application of plant growth-promoting bacteria and iron oxide nanoparticles ameliorates the toxic effects of arsenic in Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.)

“…Heavy metals are considered a primary source of injury to the cell membrane, frequently attributing to lipid peroxidation. As a result of metal accumulation, a large number of active free oxygen radicals are formed, which may be the main cause of cell membrane lipid peroxidation, and may also harm the functioning and structure of the cell membrane ( Kamran et al., 2019 ; Rehman et al., 2019 ; Afridi et al, 2022a ; Afridi et al, 2022b ). Excessive ROS production causes oxidative stress, as reported for many crops under heavy metals treatment, and is likely to be commenced by molecular oxygen excitation (O 2 ) to generate singlet oxygen or by electron transfer to O 2 and genesis of free radicals (i.e., O 2− and OH − ) ( Mfarrej et al., 2021 ; Bibi et al, 2024 ).…”

Silicic and Ascorbic Acid Induced Modulations in Photosynthetic, Mineral Uptake, and Yield Attributes of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) under Ozone Stress

“…8,9 Through the open stomata on leaves, it penetrates and destroys the photosynthetic system, affecting the leaf gas exchange, in addition to plant productivity, growth, and yield. 10,11 Different factors including concentration, duration of the exposure, plant development stage, conditions that affect stomatal conductance, and of course the plant species contribute toward a plant's response to fluctuating O 3 concentration in the environment. 12−14 A threshold level of 40 ppb of O 3 has been widely adopted by scientists to estimate the potential damage to plants.…”

“…One of the major challenges for global food security is increasing crop productivity under variable climatic conditions. , O 3 pollution is the main stress factor associated with global climate change in many regions of the world . Tropospheric O 3 , a secondary air pollutant, harms ecosystem production and vegetation at concentrations as low as 30 ppb. , The current increase in O 3 level in the troposphere is 0.5–2% every year due to release of chemicals from manufacturing operations or industrial waste. , It is predicted that at the end of this century the tropospheric O 3 level may increase up to 18%. , Through the open stomata on leaves, it penetrates and destroys the photosynthetic system, affecting the leaf gas exchange, in addition to plant productivity, growth, and yield. , Different factors including concentration, duration of the exposure, plant development stage, conditions that affect stomatal conductance, and of course the plant species contribute toward a plant’s response to fluctuating O 3 concentration in the environment. − A threshold level of 40 ppb of O 3 has been widely adopted by scientists to estimate the potential damage to plants. − …”

“…One of the major challenges for global food security is increasing crop productivity under variable climatic conditions. 1 , 2 O 3 pollution is the main stress factor associated with global climate change in many regions of the world. 3 Tropospheric O 3 , a secondary air pollutant, harms ecosystem production and vegetation at concentrations as low as 30 ppb.…”