Soil Microorganisms and Plants

Dear Colleagues,

Soil is a complex system consisting of solid, aqueous, and gas phases creating multiple niches for various organisms. The uppermost layer of soil (rhizosphere) is the most diverse environment, being in contact with atmosphere and hydrosphere and thereby allowing mass and energy transport. Soil is inhabited by numerous organisms such as unicellular microorganisms, fungi, plants, and animals. For eons of co-evolution, they have formed complex networks of interactions which are currently the aim of many studies worldwide.

As soil serves as important function for humans, in particular for food production, the interactions between plants and soil microorganisms are one the most important issues nowadays. We are living in times where high human development and industrialization have led to strong degradation of soil, shortage of available area, and a decrease of water and food quality. For example, it is well known that agricultural soils have lower biodiversity than natural (not exploited) soils. This urges studies aiming for the better usage of the remaining area to restore and improve the functions of environment.

Soil microorganisms and plants are very important components of soils. Rhizospheric microbiota play an important role in decomposing organic material building soil organic matter pool. In addition, they may interact with other organisms creating various relations. In some cases they have no effect (commensalism), some may be pathogenic and other symbiotic to other organisms. The common example is the interaction of Rhizobia with roots of Fabaceae.

Microorganisms may easily enter the interior of plants using various mechanisms creating specific microbiome associated with given plant species. These bacteria, called endophytes, are now studied widely due to many positive effects on plant performance. Such microbes are called Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB), which in return for shelter produce many substances such as phytohormones, antibiotics supporting plant growth and development. This feature allows plants to cope with many stress factors, e.g., drought, temperature, and/or presence of heavy metals or pathogens. This is an important feature for agriculture, biotechnology, and ecosystem engineering, because it allows production of better crops or the obtaining of plants suitable for phytoremediation of many types of pollutants, without need of genetic engineering. Discovery of new microbiomes for given plant species are now possible using modern molecular tools such as NGS. In addition, microbiological, biochemical, and chemical tools allow for better understanding the relationships between there organisms and their hosts.

For that reason, we invite researchers to submit manuscripts aiming to present interactions between plant and microorganisms and their applications which would be beneficial for human development in a more natural, ecosystem friendly approach.

Dr. Artur Banach
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• soil microbial diversity
• rhizosphere
• plant-microbes interactions
• plant growth promoting soil microorganisms
• biodegradation
• crop enhancement