Jornal de Biodiversidade e Espécies Ameaçadas

Expected Benefits of Plant Microbiome Engineering for Better Crop Growth and Resilience

Abstract

German Taveira*

Microbiomes that are found in plants can help plants develop faster or manage diseases. A consortium of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be inoculated into the microbiome to change it, which can improve plant growth and protect it from biotic and abiotic challenges. An innovative biotechnological method for increasing agricultural yields and resilience involves manipulating the plant holobiont through microbiome engineering. Direct methods of microbiome engineering include inoculation with particular probiotic microbes, artificial microbial consortia, and microbiome breeding and transplantation. Indirect methods involve the use of soil amendments or selective substrates. We discuss the benefits and potential integration of microbiome services into conventional agricultural methods as well as the knowledge gaps that need to be filled before these methods can be applied commercially in the field. Enhancing plant functions, including those related to biotic and abiotic stressors, plant fitness, and productivity, is the primary objective of microbiome engineering.