Plant-microbiome crosstalk and disease development

Plants harbor a complex immune system to fight off invaders and prevent diseases. For decades, the interactions between plants and pathogens have been investigated primarily through the lens of binary interactions, largely neglecting the diversity of microbes that naturally inhabit plant tissues. Recent research, however, demonstrates that resident microbes are more than mere spectators. Instead, the plant microbiome extends host immune function and influences the outcome of a pathogen infection. Both plants and the interacting microbes produce a large diversity of metabolites that form an intricate chemical network of nutrients, signals, and antimicrobial molecules. In this review, we discuss the involvement of the plant microbiome in disease development, focusing on the biochemical conversation that occurs between plants and their associated microbiota before, during and after infection. We also highlight outstanding questions and possible directions for future research.