Insect–Plant–Microbe Interactions and Sustainable Agriculture
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Microbe Interactions".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 19
Special Issue Editors
2. Department of Agriculture, University of Ioannina, Arta Campus, 471 00 Arta, Greece
Interests: biological control of crop and forestry pests; IPM methods; insect–plant interactions; endophytes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: biological control of crop pests; IPM methods; insect–plant interactions; stored product pests; precision agriculture methods in crop protection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The sustainable intensification of agriculture requires innovative strategies that leverage biological interactions to enhance crop productivity while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. Microorganisms are central to this approach, functioning as key mediators within the insect–plant interface. Plant‐associated microbes—from rhizosphere bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi to endophytes and phyllo sphere communities—shape plant development, nutrient acquisition, and defence responses. These microbes can strongly influence insect herbivory and pollination through changes in plant chemistry, physiology, and signalling pathways. Likewise, insects act as vectors, dispersers, or suppressors of microbial populations, contributing to the assembly and evolution of plant microbiomes.
This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of the microbial dimensions of insect–plant relationships and their applications in sustainable crop protection and production. We welcome studies addressing microbiome-driven pest suppression, symbiotic relationships enhancing plant resistance or insect fitness, microbial innovations for integrated pest management, and the impacts of climate and environmental change on these multitrophic interactions. By integrating ecological, molecular, and applied perspectives, this Issue seeks to support the development of microbe-based solutions that foster resilient agroecosystems, promote biodiversity, and contribute to global food security.
This Special Issue focuses on the essential role of microorganisms in shaping insect–plant interactions and their contribution to sustainable agricultural systems. We invite original research articles, reviews, and short communications addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Microbial influences on plant defence signalling and herbivore behaviour;
- Plant microbiome manipulation for pest and disease management;
- Symbiotic microbes associated with insects and their impact on crop health;
- Microbe-mediated pollination and insect performance;
- Mechanisms of pathogen transmission by insect vectors;
- Biocontrol agents and microbial-based pest management innovations;
- Effects of environmental change on insect–plant–microbe dynamics;
- Omics-driven studies of multitrophic interactions (metagenomics, metabolomics, etc.);
- Microbiome engineering for improved soil and plant resilience;
- Ecological and evolutionary perspectives on microbial symbioses in agroecosystems.
This Special Issue aims to support scientific advances that reduce chemical inputs, enhance biodiversity, and improve crop productivity through a deeper understanding of multitrophic microbial interactions.
Dr. Spiridon Mantzoukas
Prof. Dr. Panagiotis A. Eliopoulos
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- insect–plant–microbe interactions
- biological control
- sustainable agriculture
- plant health and defence
- microbial biocontrol agents
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