How plants recruit their microbiome? New insights into beneficial interactions

Background: Research on beneficial mechanisms by plant-associated microbiomes, such as plant growth stimulation and protection from plant pathogens, has gained considerable attention over the past dec-ades; however, the mechanisms used by plants to recruit their microbiome is largely unknown. Aim of Review: Here, we review the latest studies that have begun to reveal plant strategies in selectively recruiting beneficial microbiomes, and how they manage to exclude potential pathogens. Key Scientific concepts of Review: We examine how plants attract beneficial microbiota from the main areas of interaction, such as the rhizosphere, endosphere, and phyllosphere, and demonstrate that such process occurs by producing root exudates, and recognizing molecules produced by the beneficial micro -biota or distinguishing pathogens using specific receptors, or by triggering signals that support plant-microbiome homeostasis. Second, we analyzed the main environmental or biotic factors that modulate the structure and successional dynamics of microbial communities. Finally, we review how the asso-ciated microbiome is capable of engaging with other synergistic microbes, hence providing an additional element of selection. Collectively, this study reveals the importance of understanding the complex net-work of plant interactions, which will improve the understanding of bioinoculant application in agricul-ture, based on a microbiome that interacts efficiently with plant organs under different environmental conditions. (c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Cairo University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).