The plant microbiota: From theoretical advances to applications

In nature, healthy plants harbor abundant and diverse microbes known as the plant microbiota. These taxonomically structured microbial assemblies contribute to plant growth and health, and extend the capacity of plants to adapt to their environment. Extensive characterization of plant microbiota has yielded valuable insights into the factors affecting microbial community assembly, consistently revealing that the host compartment, host genetic diversity, and environmental factors are the determinants of microbiota composition. Systematic culture of plant microbiota and reconstitution experiments using germ-free plants under laboratory conditions have indicated functions for the microbiota in disease and stress resistance, nutrient absorption, and morphological development. These preliminary endeavors have fueled interest in translating the benefits of microbial assemblies to agriculture. However, the gap between identifying beneficial strains and translating this knowledge into viable applications remains to be bridged.