Interactions of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Other Soil Microorganisms with Plants

The relationship between soil microorganisms and plants serves as one of the core linkages sustaining the functionality of terrestrial ecosystems, characterized by a dualistic interplay of mutualistic symbiosis and pathogenic interference. The vast majority of soil microbes are faithful allies of plant growth—they enhance nutrient availability through nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization, promote root development by secreting bioactive substances, or induce systemic resistance to help plants cope with environmental stresses. However, soils also include considerable populations of phytopathogens that, via sophisticated infection mechanisms, breach plant immune defenses and trigger various soil-borne diseases, posing a persistent threat to agricultural productivity. This Reprint brings together selected research findings from scholars in the field of microbe–plant interactions, with the aim of providing theoretical references for addressing agricultural issues such as crop health management. Given the limitations of our knowledge and expertise, omissions and inaccuracies are inevitable in this work.