Use of Synthetic Ecology Approach in Exploring Plant–Microbial Interactions Under Habitat-Imposed Stresses

Abstract

Soil microbes have received an attention due to their possible roles in plant growth promotion, avoidance of biotic and abiotic stress, soil remediation, and reclamation. However, climate change may affect microbial ecology and function, especially in marginal lands; therefore, we need to explore viable options of helping the soil microbes and bioinoculants perform better. In recent times, focus has been shifting toward harnessing groups of microorganisms or constructing consortia of selected microbes due to the possibilities of multiple roles, better adaptation, and ease in association with the hosts when compared with singular strains. Here, we reviewed role of this synthetic ecology approach in ameliorating biotic and abiotic stresses from plants with a focus on marginal lands, which are on the rise in scenarios of changing climate. In addition, possible mechanisms behind may include efficient and cooperative metabolism, closer interaction among microbes, and with the hosts, division of labor, and resilience in plant phenotype. Although further investigation in application strategies after successfully building the consortia would be required, utilization of well-matched consortia may help crop production particularly under changing climate scenarios, which have or may lead to adverse effect of functionality of applied single strains.KeywordsSynthetic ecologyPlant growth-promoting microorganismsConsortiumStress