Molecular mechanism of benign microbe-elicited alleviation of biotic and abiotic stresses for plants

Abstract

In continuous agricultural systems, crop yields are directly dependent on the inherent soil fertility with microbial processes that governs the mineralization and mobilization of nutrients required for plant growth. The impact of different crop species that are used in various combinations is likely to be an important factor in determining the structure of plant benign microbial communities that function in nutrient cycling, the production of plant growth hormones, and suppression of root diseases. In the present scenario, a perceived role of biotechnology is to introduce multiple choreographed genes into plants that would elicit multiple benefits to the plants such as resistance to stress, productivity, and quality. Microbial genomes that have coevolved with native plant species may already be choreographed and compatible with a wide range of plant genomes and available in this vast unexplored genetic reservoir. Understanding of microbial genome and how it communicates with plant genome for their mutual welfare could lead to innovative methods of plant improvement. Increased adverse effects of abiotic and biotic stresses impacting productivity in principal crops are being witnessed all over the world. Extreme events like prolonged droughts, intense rains and flooding, heat waves, and frost damages are likely to further increase in future due to climate change. A wide range of adaptations and mitigation strategies are required to cope with such impacts. Efficient resource management and crop improvement for evolving better breeds can help to overcome abiotic stresses to some extent. However, such strategies being long drawn and cost intensive, there is a need to develop simple and low cost-effective biological methods for the management of abiotic stress, which can be used on long-term basis. Therefore, studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that result from treatment of plants with benign microbes under stress conditions and only then will the full benefits of plant-microbe interaction be understood.