Recent Posts

Root acid phosphatases and rhizobacteria synergistically enhance white lupin and rice phosphorus acquisition (Plant Physiol)

Phosphorus (P, Pi in the form of inorganic orthophosphate) is crucial for plant homeostasis because it is a plant growth-limiting factor. White lupin is an excellent crop model to study Pi changes due to the development of cluster roots (CR). CR are composed of rootlets that allow a more efficient Pi…

Experimental evidence of microbial inheritance in plants and transmission routes from seed to phyllosphere and root (Environ. Microbiol.)

All plant species are associated with a diverse yet distinct assemblage of microorganisms known as the microbiome. Traditionally, the environment is considered the primary source of these microbes. However, Abdelfattah and colleagues' fascinating research shows that seeds can act as vehicles to share…

Coordination between microbiota and root endodermis supports plant mineral nutrient homeostasis (Science)

Roots have been described as the gut of the plant, as they are the main interface for nutrient and water intake from their surrounding environment. This interface is remarkably complex. Not only must the root allow for the proper diffusion of substances into the plant, but by virtue of being constantly…

Review. The soil-borne identity and microbiome-assisted agriculture: Looking back to the future (Molecular Plant)

Bakker et al. begin their review of plant-soil microbiome concepts with a Lorentz Hiltner quote from 1904: “However, I am convinced that soil bacteriology will finally provide results that are not only of explanatory nature, but will also directly affect and determine agricultural practice… I would…

Review: Coumarin communication along the microbiome-root-shoot axis (Trends Plant Sci.)

As the realm of microbiology expands, we see increasing ways in which eukaryotes depend on their microbiomes. For instance, in animals, the “microbiome-gut-brain axis” connects gut microbiota and the nervous system and influences a range of activities from digestion to mental health. Stassen et al.…

Review: La vie en roses, lilies, and other flowers: the floral microbiome (Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst.)

Beyond their beautiful colors, fragrances and shapes, flowers also can host a great variety of life forms. A diverse community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other organisms live in the flowers. A recent work by Rachel Vannette summarizes the current studies about the floral microbiome, highlighting…

Coordination of microbe-host homeostasis via a crosstalk with plant innate immunity (Research Square)

In nature, roots are colonized by commensal bacteria that do not seem to influence host traits. Recently, studies showed some commensals can suppress plant immune responses when inoculated to plants alone. However, how such commensal activities are coordinated in the community context is poorly understood.…

Review: Plant–microbiome interactions: from community assembly to plant health (Nat. Rev. Microbiol)

The association of plants with communities of beneficial microbes,  called plant microbiota, has a positive effect on growth and proliferation of both organisms. Recent findings in plant microbiota research uncovered the role of individual microbes and associated genes during plant-microbe interaction…

Review. The plant microbiome: From ecology to reductionism and beyond (Annu. Rev. Microbiol.)

The last two decades have witnessed tremendous progress in our understanding of plant microbiota. Fitzpatrick, Salas-González et al. highlight recent discoveries from culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches and discuss the future path towards integrating these approaches. Culture-independent…