Chapter 11 - The Plant Microbiome: Diversity, Dynamics, and Role in Food Safety

Abstract

In the agricultural environment, some microbes may colonize plants as plant or human pathogens, whereas others may promote plant growth or stimulate responses to stress or infection. Although plants are major drivers of their own microbiomes, agricultural inputs such as manure-derived fertilizers, management practices such as crop rotation, or environmental factors like rainfall could potentially lead to abiotic and biotic shifts influencing microbial dynamics in the plant habitat. The interplay of factors that influence plant-associated microbial diversity and function can affect not only plant health but also microbial food safety. Recent advances in genomic technology provide an opportunity to investigate the dynamics of plant microbiomes from a new perspective and at a depth not previously attainable. This chapter discusses the growing body of knowledge surrounding the complex interactions between plants and their associated microbial communities, and their potential impact on agricultural productivity and food safety.