Insights into Role of Invisible Partners in Plant Growth and Development

TLDR: In this paper, a review encompasses the recent developments in the field of plant-microbe interaction with a focus on the positive role of beneficial microbes in improving plant growth and development.

Abstract: Soil hosts a diverse array of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, among others. These microbes frequently associate with plants and interaction occurs with the environment in a unique way as a holobiome (the host genome and associated microbiome). Plant associated symbiotic microbes often augment the host with an extra layer of complex complementary functions that increase host cell plasticity and plant fitness not only under normal conditions but even during the adverse and challenging environment. Advancement in functional genomics, proteomics and metabolomics helped to understand the molecular and biochemical events during plant-microbe interaction to a larger extent. The scope of this review encompasses the recent developments in the field of plant-microbe interaction with a focus on the positive role of beneficial microbes in improving plant growth and development. In addition, the role of endophytes and their ability to modulate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants are discussed. We conclude the chapter by proposing future application with special reference to basic and applied research related to the use of beneficial microbes in sustainable crop production and its utility for varied applications.