Plant–Microbe Interactions with a Focus on Pathogens in Understudied Non-Model Species and Ecosystems

In the expansive field of plant pathology, research has historically concentrated on a select few model species and ecosystems, often neglecting the diverse plant-pathogen interactions present in understudied non-model species and their native environments. These interactions can offer critical insights into plant resilience, pathogen evolution, and biodiversity impacts. Recent research has begun to uncover how these non-model species interact dynamically with pathogens, highlighting unique defense responses and co-evolutionary patterns. Additionally, the role of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPRs) is gaining attention for their ability to mitigate pathogen impacts and promote plant health in these diverse ecosystems. However, numerous gaps persist, particularly in understanding how PGPRs influence plant-pathogen dynamics under varying environmental conditions.

This Research Topic seeks to illuminate the intricate plant-pathogen- PGPR interactions in less-studied species and ecosystems. Key objectives include exploring how these interactions affect plant physiology and ecosystem health, identifying novel plant defense mechanisms enhanced by PGPRs, and examining the ecological contributions of pathogens and beneficial microbes to ecosystem stability. Through these investigations, the research aims to answer crucial questions about the biological and environmental determinants of plant-pathogen-PGPR relationships and their broader ecological implications.

To broaden our understanding of these essential dynamics, we invite articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Characterization of pathogen diversity and ecology in non-model plant species across diverse ecosystems, with emphasis on fungal, bacterial, and oomycete pathogens that are often overlooked in model crops.

- Mechanistic insights into host–pathogen interactions, including infection strategies, virulence factors, plant immune responses, and how these differ in wild or underexplored plants.

- Comparative analysis of plant–pathogen dynamics in natural versus agricultural systems, identifying emerging disease risks and resilience factors.

- Influence of beneficial microbes (e.g., PGPRs, endophytes, mycorrhizae) on plant–pathogen interactions, focusing on how they suppress, outcompete, or modulate pathogen activity.

- Environmental drivers of disease outcomes, including soil type, climate variability, and microbiome composition, and how these shapes both pathogenic and beneficial interactions.

- Cross-talk between pathogens, mutualists, and the host, highlighting the complexity of multi-partner interactions rather than binary “beneficial vs. harmful” frameworks.

- Evolutionary perspectives on co-adaptation between non-model plants and their pathogens, with implications for ecosystem function, biodiversity, and resilience.

- Development of tools and methods (e.g., metagenomics, community ecology frameworks, imaging approaches) to study pathogens and microbial consortia in species and ecosystems lacking standard resources.

This Research Topic encourages submissions in various formats, including original research articles, reviews, and case studies, to offer a comprehensive exploration of the complex interactions between plants, pathogens, and PGPRs across the globe.

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... 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
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: non-model plant species, plant-pathogen interactions, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, plant immune responses, microbial ecology

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.