Abstract
Plants are an intrinsic part of the soil community and the “one health
concept” considers that human health is intimately connected to the
health of animals, plants, and microbial environments. Plant-microbe
interactions are a cornerstone of one health, the soil microbiome being
comprised of a diverse range of organisms, interacts in the rhizosphere
through continuous molecular communications. Soils are a source and
reservoir of pathogens, as well as beneficial microorganisms. Hence, the
molecular dialogue at the rhizosphere interface is crucial not only for
successful plant-microbe interactions but also for crop resilience and
stress tolerance. The plant-microbe continuum forms a network of
underground “nutrient highways” that benefit both plant and microbial
communities. It also serves as a significant sink for atmospheric
CO2. While microbial diversity is generally positively
associated with one health, the host range of beneficial microbes
currently limits their successful exploitation with a wide range of
microbial communities. We consider the possibility of increasing the
host range of beneficial microbes, including
arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF)
and rhizobia, and how current genetic incompatibility and/or activation
of robust plant defenses, can be overcome while accepting that
significant challenges exist in translating laboratory findings into the
field. We consider why AMF inoculants and plant growth-promoting
microbes are not always beneficial under field conditions and suggest
possible approaches for tailoring plant-microbe interactions to assist
plant breeding efforts in crop resilience.