Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants

Abstract submission deadline

31 August 2025

Manuscript submission deadline

31 October 2025

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to extend this special invitation for contributions to a forthcoming multidisciplinary topic on "Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants". This multidisciplinary topic aims to compile cutting-edge research and perspectives on the pivotal role of microbes in enhancing plant resilience to various abiotic stressors.

Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and heavy metal contamination continue to pose formidable challenges to global agriculture and food security. However, recent advancements in microbiology have shed light on the remarkable capacity of certain microorganisms to mitigate the adverse effects of these stresses on plant growth and productivity.

We invite original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore the diverse mechanisms underlying microbe-induced abiotic stress alleviation in plants. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

1. Elucidation of molecular and physiological mechanisms involved in plant-microbe interactions under stress conditions
2. Engineering microbial consortia for enhanced stress tolerance in crops
3. Application of microbe-based biostimulants and biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture
4. Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches to unravel the microbial contributions to plant stress resilience
5. Field trials and practical applications of microbial interventions for stress management in agricultural systems

We encourage submissions that present novel insights, experimental findings, methodological advances, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Manuscripts will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure the publication of high-quality research.

Contributions to this multidisciplinary topic will provide valuable insights into harnessing the potential of microbial-mediated strategies for sustainable agriculture and crop improvement in the face of escalating environmental challenges.

We look forward to your participation in this exciting endeavor.

Prof. Dr. Ying Ma
Prof. Dr. Christopher Rensing
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agriculture agriculture	3.3	4.9	2011	20.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Agronomy agronomy	3.3	6.2	2011	15.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Crops crops	-	-	2021	24.2 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Microorganisms microorganisms	4.1	7.4	2013	13.4 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Plants plants	4.0	6.5	2012	18.2 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
International Journal of Plant Biology ijpb	-	2.0	2010	19.2 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Soil Systems soilsystems	2.9	5.3	2017	32.6 Days	CHF 1800	Submit

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Journals

All Agriculture Agronomy Crops Microorganisms Plants IJPB Soil Systems

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20 pages, 4560 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Exopolysaccharide-Producing Bacteria Regulate Soil Aggregates and Bacterial Communities to Inhibit the Uptake of Cadmium and Lead by Lettuce

by Heyun Zhang, Ke Wang, Xinru Liu, Lunguang Yao, Zhaojin Chen and Hui Han

Microorganisms 2024, 12(11), 2112; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12112112 - 22 Oct 2024

Viewed by 548

Abstract

The accumulation of heavy metals in the soil not only causes serious damage to the soil ecosystem, but also threatens human health through the food chain. Exopolysaccharides have the functions of adsorbing and chelating heavy metals and reducing their bioavailability in the soil. [...] Read more.

The accumulation of heavy metals in the soil not only causes serious damage to the soil ecosystem, but also threatens human health through the food chain. Exopolysaccharides have the functions of adsorbing and chelating heavy metals and reducing their bioavailability in the soil. In our study, exopolysaccharide-producing bacteria with a high efficiency in adsorbing cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were screened from heavy metal-contaminated farmland. Through pot experiments, the influence of functional strains on the size distribution, heavy metal content, and bacterial community structure of soil aggregates in lettuce was studied using high-throughput sequencing technology. The results show that 11 strains secreting exopolysaccharides were initially screened from heavy metal-contaminated soil. Among them, strain Z23 had a removal rate of 88.6% for Cd and 93.2% for Pb. The rate at which Cd was removed by strain Z39 was 92.3%, and the rate at which Pb was removed was 94.4%. Both strains belong to Bacillus sp. Strains Z23 and Z39 induced the formation of Fe₂Pb(PO₄)₂, Cd₂(PO₄)₂, and Pb₂O₃ in the solution. The pot experiments showed that strains Z23 and Z39 increased (19.1~23.9%) the dry weight and antioxidant enzyme activity of lettuce roots and leaves, while reducing (40.1~61.7%) the content of Cd and Pb. Strains Z23 and Z39 increased the proportion of microaggregates (<0.25 mm) and the content of exopolysaccharides in rhizosphere soil and reduced (38.4–59.7%) the contents of available Cd and Pb in microaggregates, thus inhibiting the absorption of heavy metals by lettuce. In addition, the exopolysaccharide content and the bacterial community associated with heavy metal resistance and nitrogen (N) cycling (Patescibacteria, Saccharimonadales, Microvirga, and Pseudomonas) in microaggregates were key factors affecting the available heavy metal content in soil. These results show that the exopolysaccharide-producing bacteria Z23 and Z39 reduced the absorption of Cd and Pb by lettuce tissues, thus providing strain resources for the safe utilization of soils that exceed heavy metal standards for farmland and for reducing the heavy metal content in vegetables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants)

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15 pages, 2047 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Synergism or Antagonism: Do Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Work Together to Benefit Plants?

by Noah Savastano and Harsh Bais

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2024, 15(4), 944-958; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb15040067 - 1 Oct 2024

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Abstract

In agriculture, abiotic and biotic stress reduce yield by 51–82% and 10–16%, respectively. Applications of biological agents such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve plant growth. Applications of lone PGPR and AMF also help plants resist abiotic [...] Read more.

In agriculture, abiotic and biotic stress reduce yield by 51–82% and 10–16%, respectively. Applications of biological agents such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve plant growth. Applications of lone PGPR and AMF also help plants resist abiotic and biotic stressors. The reports for dual inoculation of AMF and PGPR to benefit plants and tackle stressors are largely unknown. It is speculated that PGPR colonization in plants enhances AMF infection during dual AMF and PGPR application, although increased AMF colonization does not always correlate with the increased benefits for the plant hosts. Further research is needed regarding molecular mechanisms of communication during dual inoculations, and dual-inoculation enhancement of induced systemic resistance under pathogen stress, to understand how dual inoculations can result in enhanced plant benefits. The influence of application timing of AMF and PGPR dual inoculations on mitigating abiotic and biotic stress is also not well understood. This review documents the factors that govern and modulate the dual application of AMF and PGPR for plant benefits against stress responses, specifically abiotic (drought) stress and stress from pathogen infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants)

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12 pages, 3814 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Alteration of Photosynthetic and Antioxidant Gene Expression in Sugarcane Infected by Multiple Mosaic Viruses

by Intan Ria Neliana, Wardatus Soleha, Suherman, Nurmalasari Darsono, Rikno Harmoko, Widhi Dyah Sawitri and Bambang Sugiharto

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2024, 15(3), 757-768; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb15030055 - 8 Aug 2024

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Abstract

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV), and sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) are the causative pathogens of mosaic disease. This study aimed to identify mosaic virus infection and its impact on photosynthetic and antioxidant gene expression in eight commercial sugarcane cultivars [...] Read more.

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV), and sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) are the causative pathogens of mosaic disease. This study aimed to identify mosaic virus infection and its impact on photosynthetic and antioxidant gene expression in eight commercial sugarcane cultivars grown on sugarcane plantations in East Java, Indonesia. The disease incidence and severity were observed in symptomatic leave samples, and then the virus was identified. A high incidence and severity of mosaic symptoms were observed in the PS881 and NX04 cultivars compared with the other cultivars. RT-PCR analysis detected SCSMV infection in all cultivars; double infections with SCSMV and SCMV in the PS881, PS882, and Cening cultivars; and triple infections with SCSMV, SCMV, and SrMV in the PS881 cultivar. Ascorbate peroxidase (Apx) expression was upregulated in all virus-infected cultivars and significantly increased in the triple-infected PS881 cultivar. However, catalase (Cat) expression was only slightly increased in the PS881 cultivar. The chlorophyll content was reduced, and the PsaA gene was downregulated in all cultivars. The expression of PsaA, RbcS, and Sps was significantly suppressed in the triple-infected PS881 cultivar. Moreover, the downregulation of both the RbcS and Pepc genes was concomitant with that of their protein levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants)

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17 pages, 2811 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Mechanism of Cadmium-Tolerant Bacterium Cellulosimicrobium and Ryegrass Combined Remediation of Cadmium-Contaminated Soil

by Jiaqi Li, Xiaoyang Xu, Lanping Song, Meng Na, Shangqi Xu, Jie Zhang, Yongjie Huang, Xiaoping Li, Xianqing Zheng and Jihai Zhou

Plants 2024, 13(12), 1657; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121657 - 15 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) pollution has been rapidly increasing due to the global rise in industries. Cd not only harms the ecological environment but also endangers human health through the food chain and drinking water. Therefore, the remediation of Cd-polluted soil is an imminent issue. [...] Read more.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution has been rapidly increasing due to the global rise in industries. Cd not only harms the ecological environment but also endangers human health through the food chain and drinking water. Therefore, the remediation of Cd-polluted soil is an imminent issue. In this work, ryegrass and a strain of Cd-tolerant bacterium were used to investigate the impact of inoculated bacteria on the physiology and biochemistry of ryegrass and the Cd enrichment of ryegrass in soil contaminated with different concentrations of Cd (4 and 20 mg/kg). The results showed that chlorophyll content increased by 24.7% and 41.0%, while peroxidase activity decreased by 56.7% and 3.9%. In addition, ascorbic acid content increased by 16.7% and 6.3%, whereas glutathione content decreased by 54.2% and 6.9%. The total Cd concentration in ryegrass increased by 21.5% and 10.3%, and the soil’s residual Cd decreased by 86.0% and 44.1%. Thus, the inoculation of Cd-tolerant bacteria can improve the antioxidant stress ability of ryegrass in Cd-contaminated soil and change the soil’s Cd form. As a result, the Cd enrichment in under-ground and above-ground parts of ryegrass, as well as the biomass of ryegrass, is increased, and the ability of ryegrass to remediate Cd-contaminated soil is significantly improved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants)

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17 pages, 3305 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Antagonism and Synergism Characterize the Interactions between Four North American Potato Virus Y Strains

by Prakash M. Niraula, Patricia Baldrich, Junaid A. Cheema, Hashir A. Cheema, Dejah S. Gaiter, Blake C. Meyers and Vincent N. Fondong

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2024, 15(2), 412-428; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb15020032 - 21 May 2024

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Abstract

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most important constraints to potato production worldwide. There is an increasing occurrence of recombinant PVY strains PVY^NTN and PVY^N-Wi and a decline in the incidence of the nonrecombinant PVY^O. We hypothesized [...] Read more.

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most important constraints to potato production worldwide. There is an increasing occurrence of recombinant PVY strains PVY^NTN and PVY^N-Wi and a decline in the incidence of the nonrecombinant PVY^O. We hypothesized that this may be due to the ability of these recombinant strains to antagonize and/or outcompete PVY^O in mixed infections. To determine this, we investigated interactions between PVY^O and three recombinant PVY strains common in North America: PVY^NTN, PVY^N-Wi, and PVY^N:O. Overall, our study showed that these interactions are tissue-dependent. Specifically, PVY^NTN, the main causal agent of potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD), was found to be more adaptable than PVY^O, especially in potato leaves due, at least in part, to the Ny gene that confers hypersensitive resistance (HR) to PVY^O. Furthermore, PVY^N-Wi was found to repress PVY^O in potato tubers but act synergistically in potato leaves. The PVY^O-induced foliage necrosis in cultivar ‘Ranger Russet’ was observed to be more severe in plants co-infected by PVY^N-Wi and PVY^N:O, respectively, resulting in plant death. Strikingly, this PVY^O -induced necrosis was suppressed by PVY^NTN in doubly infected plants. These interactions may, at least partially, explain the decreasing incidence of PVY^O in United States potato production regions, especially given that many cultivars contain the Ny gene, which likely limits PVY^O enabling PVY^NTN and PVY^N-Wi to outcompete. We also found that replication and cell-to-cell movement of these PVY strains in tubers at 4 °C was similar to levels at ambient temperature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants)

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14 pages, 2908 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Aboveground Epichloë Endophytic Fungi on the Rhizosphere Microbial Functions of the Host Melica transsilvanica

by Chuanzhe Wang, Chong Shi, Wei Huang, Mengmeng Zhang and Jiakun He

Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050956 - 8 May 2024

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Abstract

In nature, the symbiotic relationship between plants and microorganisms is crucial for ecosystem balance and plant growth. This study investigates the impact of Epichloë endophytic fungi, which are exclusively present aboveground, on the rhizosphere microbial functions of the host Melica transsilvanica. Using [...] Read more.

In nature, the symbiotic relationship between plants and microorganisms is crucial for ecosystem balance and plant growth. This study investigates the impact of Epichloë endophytic fungi, which are exclusively present aboveground, on the rhizosphere microbial functions of the host Melica transsilvanica. Using metagenomic methods, we analyzed the differences in microbial functional groups and functional genes in the rhizosphere soil between symbiotic (EI) and non-symbiotic (EF) plants. The results reveal that the presence of Epichloë altered the community structure of carbon and nitrogen cycling-related microbial populations in the host’s rhizosphere, significantly increasing the abundance of the genes (porA, porG, IDH1) involved in the rTCA cycle of the carbon fixation pathway, as well as the abundance of nxrAB genes related to nitrification in the nitrogen-cycling pathway. Furthermore, the presence of Epichloë reduces the enrichment of virulence factors in the host rhizosphere microbiome, while significantly increasing the accumulation of resistance genes against heavy metals such as Zn, Sb, and Pb. This study provides new insights into the interactions among endophytic fungi, host plants, and rhizosphere microorganisms, and offers potential applications for utilizing endophytic fungi resources to improve plant growth and soil health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants)

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13 pages, 2521 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Influence Microbial Community Composition and Metabolic Function to Enhance the Efficiency of Hybrid pennisetum Remediation in Cadmium-Contaminated Soil

by Zhao-Jin Chen, Meng-Lu Li, Shan-Shan Gao, Yu-Bo Sun, Hui Han, Bai-Lian Li and Yu-Ying Li

Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050870 - 26 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1362

Abstract

The green and efficient remediation of soil cadmium (Cd) is an urgent task, and plant-microbial joint remediation has become a research hotspot due to its advantages. High-throughput sequencing and metabolomics have technical advantages in analyzing the microbiological mechanism of plant growth-promoting bacteria in [...] Read more.

The green and efficient remediation of soil cadmium (Cd) is an urgent task, and plant-microbial joint remediation has become a research hotspot due to its advantages. High-throughput sequencing and metabolomics have technical advantages in analyzing the microbiological mechanism of plant growth-promoting bacteria in improving phytoremediation of soil heavy metal pollution. In this experiment, a pot trial was conducted to investigate the effects of inoculating the plant growth-promoting bacterium Enterobacter sp. VY on the growth and Cd remediation efficiency of the energy plant Hybrid pennisetum. The test strain VY-1 was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics to assess its effects on microbial community composition and metabolic function. The results demonstrated that Enterobacter sp. VY-1 effectively mitigated Cd stress on Hybrid pennisetum, resulting in increased plant biomass, Cd accumulation, and translocation factor, thereby enhancing phytoremediation efficiency. Analysis of soil physical-chemical properties revealed that strain VY-1 could increase soil total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, and available potassium content. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) indicated that strain VY-1 significantly influenced bacterial community composition, with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, among others, being the main differential taxa. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that available phosphorus, available potassium, and pH were the primary factors affecting bacterial communities. Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) demonstrated that strain VY-1 modulated the metabolite profile of Hybrid pennisetum rhizosphere soil, with 27 differential metabolites showing significant differences, including 19 up-regulated and eight down-regulated expressions. These differentially expressed metabolites were primarily involved in metabolism and environmental information processing, encompassing pathways such as glutamine and glutamate metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and purine metabolism. This study utilized 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics technology to investigate the impact of the plant growth-promoting bacterium Enterobacter sp. VY-1 on the growth and Cd enrichment of Hybrid pennisetum, providing insights into the regulatory role of plant growth-promoting bacteria in microbial community structure and metabolic function, thereby improving the microbiological mechanisms of phytoremediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants)

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