Multi-Omics Approaches in Plant–Microbe Interactions Hold Enormous Promise for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Plants do not grow in isolation; they interact with diverse microorganisms in their habitat. The development of techniques to identify and quantify the microbial diversity associated with plants contributes to our understanding of the complexity of environmental influences to which plants are exposed. Identifying interactions which are beneficial to plants can enable us to promote healthy growth with the minimal application of agrochemicals. Beneficial plant–microbial interactions assist plants in acquiring inaccessible nutrients to promote plant growth and help them to cope with various stresses and pathogens. An increased knowledge of plant–microbial diversity can be applied to meet the growing demand for biofertilizers for use in organic agriculture. This review highlights the beneficial effects of soil–microbiota and biofertilizers on improving plant health and crop yields. We propose that a multi–omics approach is appropriate to evaluate viability in the context of sustainable agriculture.