The interactions between plants and microorganisms — encompassing symbiosis, biocontrol, and pathogenic encounters — play a fundamental role in agricultural productivity and ecosystem resilience. The advent of advanced genomic and bioinformatic technologies has shed light on the complex molecular dialogues and evolutionary adjustments critical to these relationships. Despite these advancements, a fully developed framework that merges genomic annotations with functional insights for a thorough understanding of plant-microbe interactions from mutualism to antagonism is still lacking.

The aim of this Research Topic is to decipher the genomic and molecular foundations central to the interactions between plants and microbes, placing a strong emphasis on the benefits of symbiosis and biocontrol. The focus is on synthesizing multi-omics data, utilizing the latest annotation tools, and applying robust validation methods to deepen our understanding of how microbial colonization affects plant signaling and nutrient uptake, and how microbes devise sophisticated strategies to circumvent or suppress plant defenses for establishing beneficial relationships.

To enhance our insights within the field, this investigation will focus on the following areas:

- Comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic studies of mutualistic plant-microbe interactions.

- Analysis of molecular communication techniques, specifically signaling molecules and pathways that facilitate symbiosis or biocontrol.

- Annotation and functional validation of genes that enable microbes to adapt to their plant hosts.

- Implementation of integrated multi-omics approaches to dissect plant microbiomes and their beneficial traits.

- Exploration of the evolutionary genetics that underpin plant-microbe symbioses.

- Examination of the genetic and epigenetic frameworks steering mutualistic and commensalistic interactions.

This Research Topic encourages contributions that explore these themes, fostering a deeper understanding that not only aligns with global sustainability initiatives but also propels agricultural innovation and ecosystem management through strategic exploitation of microbial capabilities for plant health and productivity. Researchers are invited to submit original research, reviews, methods, and perspective pieces to advance the field of genomics in plant-microbe interactions and to uncover new biotechnological approaches for sustainable development.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Genomic Pathways to Plant Health: Exploring Microbial Symbiosis and Biocontrol