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Updated: Jun 26, 2025

A Hydroponic Co-cultivation System for Simultaneous and Systematic Analysis of Plant/Microbe Molecular Interactions and Signaling
Published on: July 22, 2017
The root of plant-plant interactions: Belowground special cocktails
Laura Mathieu1, Elsa Ballini1, Jean-Benoit Morel1
1PHIM Plant Health Institute, Univ Montpellier, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France.
Abstract:
Plants interact with each other via a multitude of processes among which belowground communication facilitated by specialized metabolites plays an important but overlooked role. Until now, the exact targets, modes of action, and resulting phenotypes that these metabolites induce in neighboring plants have remained largely unknown. Moreover, positive interactions driven by the release of root exudates are prevalent in both natural field conditions and controlled laboratory environments. In particular, intraspecific positive interactions suggest a genotypic recognition mechanism in addition to non-self perception in plant roots. This review concentrates on recent discoveries regarding how plants interact with one another through belowground signals in intra- and interspecific mixtures. Furthermore, we elaborate on how an enhanced understanding of these interactions can propel the field of agroecology forward.
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