Plants in natural and agroecosystems are continuously exposed to multiple above and belowground biotic stressors that negatively affect their growth, development, reproduction, and survival. A barrier in addressing the impacts of these stressors on plants is that often multiple stressors occur concurrently, and the order of attack and identity of the biotic stressors (i.e., pest, pathogen, or microbe) influences the outcomes for plant health. For instance, multitrophic interactions among insect vectors, vector-borne pathogens, and non-vector herbivores can influence community interactions that further affect pathogen infection dynamics and can be used for the management of secondary pest populations. Furthermore, the presence of beneficial microbes in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere alter plant resistance to biotic stressors by influencing plant defense responses and the nutritional quality of plant tissues. Additionally, pest-associated endosymbionts can facilitate plant responses to these biotic stressors.
Taken together, the interactions among plants, insects, and pathogenic and beneficial microbes are complex, and understanding the molecular, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of these complex multi-trophic interactions is key to seeking avenues to develop effective management strategies against pests and pathogens to improve plant health. The objective of this Research Topic is to present a collection of both Original Research and Review articles demonstrating recent advancements in the various research fields that helps us in understanding these complex community interactions and ecosystem dynamics both in natural and managed ecosystems.
The topics of interest for this special issue include (but are not limited to) molecular, biochemical, genetic, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of plant-vector-virus-microbe interactions, identification and analysis of factors affecting these interactions, and advancement of various methodologies for studying these interactions and their applications in developing eco-friendly and cost-effective management strategies to boost crop productivity.
Plants in natural and agroecosystems are continuously exposed to multiple above and belowground biotic stressors that negatively affect their growth, development, reproduction, and survival. A barrier in addressing the impacts of these stressors on plants is that often multiple stressors occur concurrently, and the order of attack and identity of the biotic stressors (i.e., pest, pathogen, or microbe) influences the outcomes for plant health. For instance, multitrophic interactions among insect vectors, vector-borne pathogens, and non-vector herbivores can influence community interactions that further affect pathogen infection dynamics and can be used for the management of secondary pest populations. Furthermore, the presence of beneficial microbes in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere alter plant resistance to biotic stressors by influencing plant defense responses and the nutritional quality of plant tissues. Additionally, pest-associated endosymbionts can facilitate plant responses to these biotic stressors.
Taken together, the interactions among plants, insects, and pathogenic and beneficial microbes are complex, and understanding the molecular, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of these complex multi-trophic interactions is key to seeking avenues to develop effective management strategies against pests and pathogens to improve plant health. The objective of this Research Topic is to present a collection of both Original Research and Review articles demonstrating recent advancements in the various research fields that helps us in understanding these complex community interactions and ecosystem dynamics both in natural and managed ecosystems.
The topics of interest for this special issue include (but are not limited to) molecular, biochemical, genetic, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of plant-vector-virus-microbe interactions, identification and analysis of factors affecting these interactions, and advancement of various methodologies for studying these interactions and their applications in developing eco-friendly and cost-effective management strategies to boost crop productivity.