Plant pathogenesis: Toward multidimensional understanding of the microbiome

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Microbiome Research
• Ecology

Background:

• Single-pathogen disease management is failing under global change.
• The plant microbiome's role in disease facilitation is overlooked.
• Understanding plant pathogenesis requires considering the microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce the concept of the 'pathobiome' (disease-assisting microbiome).
• Review pathobiome's detrimental actions and triggers.
• Propose pathobiome-targeted measures for disease mitigation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on plant pathogenesis and microbiome.
• Analysis of pathobiome's role at multiple scales.
• Discussion of environmental and anthropogenic triggers.

Main Results:

• The pathobiome significantly influences plant disease dynamics.
• Natural and human activities can promote pathobiome prevalence.
• Pathobiome-targeted strategies are a novel approach to disease control.

Conclusions:

• The pathobiome paradigm advances understanding of plant pathogenesis.
• Targeting the pathobiome offers a new strategy against rising plant diseases.
• This approach provides a pathway for more effective disease management.