Engineering plant–microbe communication for plant nutrient use efficiency

• Published in: Current opinion in biotechnology 2024-08, Vol.88, p.103150, Article 103150
• Main Authors: Griffin, Catherine, Oz, M. Tufan, Demirer, Gozde S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Nutrients - metabolism; Plant Roots - metabolism; Plant Roots - microbiology; Plants - metabolism; Plants - microbiology; Rhizosphere; Soil Microbiology
• ISSN: 0958-1669; 1879-0429; 1879-0429
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103150

Nutrient availability and efficient use are critical for crop productivity. Current agricultural practices rely on excessive chemical fertilizers, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Rhizosphere microbes facilitate plant nutrient acquisition and contribute to nutrient use efficiency. Thus, engineering plant–microbe communication within the rhizosphere emerges as a promising and sustainable strategy to enhance agricultural productivity. Recent advances in plant engineering have enabled the development of plants capable of selectively enriching beneficial microbes through root exudates. At the same time, synthetic biology techniques have produced microbes capable of improving nutrient availability and uptake by plants. By engineering plant–microbe communication, researchers aim to harness beneficial soil microbes, thereby offering a targeted and efficient approach to optimizing plant nutrient use efficiency. [Display omitted] •Microbes facilitate plant nutrient acquisition and improve nutrient use efficiency.•Plants control rhizosphere microbiome assembly and behavior through root exudates.•Exudate engineering may enhance nutrient use efficiency by altering the rhizosphere.•Soil microbe engineering is an important approach in sustainable agriculture.