Plant Microbiome Augmentation and Stimulation: New Strategies to Grow Crops with Reduced Agrochemicals

Dear Colleagues,

There is currently widespread interest in utilizing plant microbiomes in order to manage crops as safe alternatives or supplements to the use of chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals. Plant microbiome augmentation and stimulation strategies include: (1) promotion of plant growth and health through the addition of microbes (including endophytes, epiphytes, rhizobacteria or mycorrhizae) to the plant microbiome; and (2) use of substances that stimulate microbial activities in plants or in association with plant roots. The use of plant microbiome augmentation and stimulation may allow agriculturists and horticulturists to more sustainably produce crops at a reduced cost with fewer agrochemicals and reduced environmental degradation. An industry is growing that is based on the use of plant microbes in agriculture, with many companies developing products that involve addition of microbes to plants, seeds, or soils around plants, or substances that stimulate the plant microbiome. There is limited understanding of how microbiome augmentation, or stimulation of the plant microbiome, functions to promote plant growth. This Special Issue is intended to increase our understanding of how plant microbiome augmentation and stimulation works and how technologies based on these strategies may be used to improve agricultural practice and production.

Prof. Dr. Miguel Beltran-Garcia
Prof. Dr. James White
Guest Editors

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