Plant-Soil Microbe Interactions in Ecosystems

Dear Colleagues,

Plant–soil microbe interactions play a crucial role in soil health, as well as the functioning and sustainability of ecosystems. Generally, plants interact with microbes by means of commensalism, mutualism, or parasitism. Plants release organic compounds through their root exudates and residue, which recruit and support a diverse community of soil microbes. In return, these microbes, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses, participate in processes such as

nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, organic matter decomposition, and disease suppression, all of which contribute to promoting overall soil health and the plants it supports. However, understanding the functioning of soil ecosystems, both natural and managed ones, is difficult due to the complexity of interactions. It is required that we specify plant–soil microbe interactions and their effects on soil health as well as mechanisms. This Special Issue aims to collect research on plant–soil–microbe interactions related to soil health and productivity, microbial assembly and function, soil-borne plant disease and management, soil and plant nutrients regulation and mechanisms, etc.

Dr. Shuo Jiao
Dr. Jie Zhang
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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.

• soil health and productivity
• microbial assembly and function
• nutrients cycling and availability
• plant growth promotion
• ecosystem functioning
• soil use and managements