Role of Tripartite Interactions among Plants, Microorganisms and Invertebrates in Agroecosystems

Dear Colleagues,

Plants form complex relationships with other organisms in natural ecosystems. Microorganisms and insects play key roles in these cross-kingdom interactions. However, the complexity of the ecological networks that govern the development of ecosystems is not fully elucidated. These relationships have focused on two-way interactions between plants and microorganisms (e.g., phytopathogenesis or biostimulation), plants and insects (e.g., pollination), or microorganisms and insects (e.g., entomopathogenesis or nutrition). The analysis of these interactions using new molecular and chemical approaches has allowed us to understand a new dimension of these interactions, revealing that there is an intimate interaction between plants, microorganisms and insects, in which millions of years of coevolution have allowed the development of complex regulatory systems, where communities of microorganisms can alter the physiological state of plants by inducing herbivore resistance systems or the production of volatile compounds can act as attractants or repellents for different insects to the benefit or detriment of the plant. These tripartite interactions are essential in modern agriculture, where a holistic view of the agrosystem can reduce the environmental impact of agricultural activity and improve its efficiency. Here, we welcome all works that analyse the tripartite relationship among plants, microorganisms and insects as well as their interactions, microbiome dynamics, and effects on the productivity and sustainability of agrosystems.

Dr. José David Flores-Félix
Dr. Zaki Saati-Santamaría
Guest Editors

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