Seed-vectored microbes: Their roles in improving seedling fitness and competitor plant suppression

Abstract

This chapter discusses the roles of seed-vectored microbes in modulating seedling development and increasing fitness of plants in terms of increased biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Particular emphasis is placed on microbes that function in the rhizophagy cycle. These microbes have been shown to enter into root cells and stimulate root growth. In some cases microbe entry into root cells results in root growth repression. The term 'endobiome interference' has been applied to the phenomenon of plant growth repression due to intracellular microbes. The potential application of endobiome interference to produce bioherbicides that selectively enhance growth of target crops but inhibit competitor weeds is discussed.