Microbial-Fungal Symbioses: Ecological Implications, Environmental Impact, and Biotechnological Applications in Natural and Agricultural Systems

Microbial-fungal symbioses are key drivers in ecological networks and agricultural systems, orchestrating vital processes such as nutrient cycling, maintaining soil and plant health, enhancing plant resilience, and the success of animal hosts, including those that are pests. These complex interactions, ranging from mutualistic to commensal or antagonistic, involve fungi and diverse microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, and other fungi, and can influence a wide range of hosts, including both plants and animals. Amidst ever-changing climates, land degradation, and agricultural shifts, understanding these interactions is critical. Recent studies have highlighted their crucial contribution to soil fertility, plant productivity, ecosystem adaptation, and the ecological success of associated hosts. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding the mechanisms, diversity, and functional aspects of these symbiotic partnerships, prompting ongoing debates and calls for further exploration to harness their full potential.

This Research Topic aims to consolidate pioneering research and insightful reviews focusing on the mechanistic basis and diversity of microbial-fungal partnerships. It seeks to answer critical questions related to molecular and ecological mechanisms, the impact of environmental changes and agricultural practices on these interactions, their role in nutrient cycling, plant growth promotion, stress tolerance, and their interaction with hosts. The overarching objective is to uncover the ecological consequences and feedback that influence ecosystem stability and resilience and to explore innovative ways to leverage microbial-fungal partnerships for sustainable agriculture, bioremediation, green biotechnology, and pest management.

Our scope encompasses both the breadth and limitations of microbial-fungal symbioses in ecological and applied contexts. We invite submissions on, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Ecological studies describing symbiotic interactions among fungi, other microbial associates, and their plant or animal hosts
o Molecular, genetic, and ecological mechanisms underpinning microbial-fungal symbioses
o Impact of environmental changes, land use, and agricultural practices on symbiotic interactions
o Roles in nutrient mobilization, carbon and nitrogen cycling, plant growth promotion, and abiotic stress mitigation
o Ecological outcomes and feedback influencing ecosystem stability
o Co-evolutionary dynamics and community assembly in rhizosphere and endospore habitats
o Novel methods for harnessing these symbioses in sustainable agriculture, bioremediation, synthetic consortia, biotechnology, and pest control
o Advances in omics technologies, imaging, and modeling to study symbiotic networks

By encapsulating the ecological, environmental, and applied perspectives of microbial-fungal symbioses, this Research Topic aims to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of their significance and potential for innovation in natural and managed systems.

All article types suitable for Frontiers in Microbiology are welcome, including original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, and perspectives, to capture diverse insights and advance the field.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Microbial-fungal interactions, Symbiosis, Mycorrhizae, Endophytes, Rhizosphere, Plant-microbe interactions, Host-microbe interactions, Insect-microbe interactions, Soil microbiome, Ecosystem functioning, Sustainable agriculture, Biotechnological applications, Pest management.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.