Beneficial Interactions Research Articles

Through the microbial looking glass: our shifting understanding of the holobiont and microbes as mediators of organismal biology.

Our understanding and appreciation for the role of microbial symbioses in the evolution and speciation of macro-organisms has fluctuated over time. Even in contemporary times our collective understanding of the microbiome has shifted from an adaptationist focus on beneficial interactions, to better incorporate ecological, stochastic, and neutral interactions. From the 1900s to today, the holobiont concept has repeatedly been proposed as a guiding hypothesis and principle. However, it has also received continuous dispute and critique, often regarding the universality of processes, fidelity of partnerships, and lack of explicit delineation of holobionts from individual units. Modern interpretation of the holobiont is meant to be an extension of multilevel selection theory, and natural selection need not always act at this collective level. The solution may be for scientists to remove conceptual mind blocks and consider a hazy, flexible, and dynamic definition of the holobiont. Such a frame of mind will be similar to the lack of clarity generally surrounding the biological species concept - a muddled yet unifying concept. Viewing the world through the "microbial looking glass" of the holobiont will offer a more accurate understanding of biological systems and will facilitate research progress.

Sustainable Photocatalysis with Phenyl-Modified g-C3N4/TiO2 Polymer Hybrids: A Combined Computational and Experimental Investigation.

We combined atomistic simulations and experiments to assess the photocatalytic potential of the rutile phase of TiO2 combined with phenyl-modified carbon nitride (PhCN). Density Functional Tight Binding (DFTB) calculations predict favorable adhesion properties and type-II band alignment, crucial for efficient charge separation between PhCN and rutile TiO2 surfaces. These theoretical predictions are validated experimentally: structural (XRD and Raman) and optical characterizations confirm the successful formation of a PhCN/rutile hybrid and indicate beneficial electronic interactions. Importantly, photocatalytic tests under visible light reveal significant degradation activity, confirming that the computationally predicted synergistic effects render the PhCN/rutile system a promising, potentially greener alternative to traditional anatase-based photocatalysts.

Synthesis of new Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II)-(N-Glycyl-L-leucine) complexes as peptide metalloantibiotics for targeting pathogenic water with antioxidant effect investigation

BackgroundIn recent efforts to address the critical need for clean and portable water, we have focused on innovative methods to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms. To this aim, the N-Glycyl-L-leucine (Gly-Leu) peptide ligand was complexed with different transition metal ions [Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II)] as new peptide metalloantibiotics. The compounds were characterized and examined using various analytical methods, including elemental analysis (CHN), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), assessments of magnetic properties, molar conductivity, 1HNMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and mass spectroscopy. The ligand acted as a di-anionic molecule using the carboxylate and the deprotonated amide nitrogen atom. The coordination sites were completed with carbonyl oxygen atoms and a water molecule. The complexes showed polymeric structures using bridging carboxylate groups.ResultsThe antibacterial properties of the synthesized metal chelate were evaluated using disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods on bacterial organisms identified from water samples taken from the Nile River. At a 1 mg/mL dose, the Cu(II)-chelate showed the biggest inhibitory zone of 27 mm against Klebsiella pneumonia, with a MIC value of 62.5 μg/mL, greater than that of the common gentamicin medication. Molecular docking investigations supported these findings, showing that Cu(II)-chelate had the lowest binding energy of − 6.16 kcal/mol, indicating significant, beneficial interactions with the amino acids in the active region of bacterial proteins. Furthermore, the Cu(II) complex and the COVID-19 main protease showed encouraging results in the docking analysis, indicating that the complex may have antiviral properties and be able to inhibit viral propagation successfully. The metal chelates demonstrated noteworthy antioxidant activity, especially against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH radicals). The IC50 values of the antioxidant assay for Ni(II) and Cu(II) chelates were extremely similar to ascorbic acid, a common antioxidant. Their notable antioxidant capacity was demonstrated by the IC50 values of (14.4, 15.5, and 18 µg/mL) for ascorbic acid, Ni(II), and Cu(II) chelates, respectively.ConclusionsOur study successfully demonstrated the potential of a new Gly-Leu peptide ligand complexed with transition metal ions, particularly Cu(II), in eliminating pathogenic microorganisms from water. Cu(II)-chelate exhibited superior antibacterial properties, as confirmed by both experimental and molecular docking results. The chelates also displayed noteworthy antioxidant capacity, comparable to that of ascorbic acid. Additionally, the Cu(II)-chelate demonstrated promising antiviral potential, theoretically interacting effectively with the COVID-19 main protease, which suggests its ability to inhibit viral replication. These results underscore the potential of Cu(II)-chelate as a multi-functional compound with applications in water purification and therapeutic fields.

Toward Extending the Life of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Using Sheltering From Upstream Wave Energy Converters

Abstract Offshore renewable energy, derived from wind and waves, is increasingly being considered in many world regions. Co-location of offshore wind turbine and wave energy converter arrays allows the shared use of space and offers beneficial interaction, leading to efficient utilization of marine resources and more sustainable ocean energy solutions. By extracting energy from waves, wave energy converters can reduce hydrodynamic loads on downstream floating offshore wind turbines through sheltering effects, enhancing the structural reliability of the floating offshore wind turbine and extending its service life. To quantify such extension in service life, a comprehensive reliability analysis framework is proposed that incorporates metocean data analysis, fatigue damage assessment, and an integrated reliability-based fatigue life estimation. We employ power take-off matrices of alternative wave energy devices to approximate absorbed wave power in encountered sea states. A metocean data analysis establishes representative sea states for the incident waves and lee waves estimated by subtracting absorbed wave power from the incident power. The open-source time-domain simulation tool, openfast, is employed to compute loads on a downstream floating offshore wind turbine, for sea states of interest. Using selected output stress response time series, fatigue damage is assessed; an extended service life due to effective sheltering for the floating offshore wind turbine is evaluated through the proposed fatigue reliability analysis. Considering three alternatives, our analysis indicates that a 14–25% extension in service life can be achieved using wave energy devices that offer the benefits of sheltering.

Discovery of novel benzoxazinone derivatives as promising protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase inhibitors.

Protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO, EC 1.3.3.4) has emerged as a key target for developing new herbicides to protect crops from weeds. Herein, we disclose the development of two types of PPO inhibitors by modification of the benzoxazinone skeleton. Two types of structurally novel benzoxazinone derivatives containing hydantoin or 1,2,3-triazole fragments were designed based on active substructure splicing and derivatization strategies. Systematic post-emergence herbicidal activity studies and crop selectivity assessments indicate that some of the compounds exhibit excellent herbicidal activity and crop safety. For instance, compound A1 shows highly effective herbicidal activity against all tested weeds at a dosage of 150 g ai/ha. Particularly, its herbicidal activity against broadleaf weeds is comparable to that of flumioxazin. Meanwhile, compound A1 exhibits superior safety for wheat and maize compared to flumioxazin within the 75-150 g ai/ha dosage range. Molecular docking studies revealed that compound A1 and flumioxazin occupy the same active cave within Nicotiana tabacum PPO (NtPPO). It is noteworthy that the carbonyl group on the oxazolone moiety of both compound A1 and flumioxazin forms beneficial interactions with Arg-98 and Phe-392. Our research indicates that benzoxazinone derivatives containing either hydantoin or 1,2,3-triazole fragments serve as a promising chemical scaffold for the development of novel PPO-inhibiting herbicides. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Signaling peptides control beneficial and pathogenic plant-microbe interactions.

Interactions between organisms, such as those between plants and microbes, require extensive signaling between and within each organism to detect and recognize the partner and elicit an appropriate response. Multiple families of small signaling peptides regulate plant interactions with beneficial or pathogenic microbes, and sometimes both. Some of these signaling peptides transmit information between different cells or organs of the host and allow plants to orchestrate a coordinated response towards microbial mutualists or pathogens. However, not only plants produce signaling peptides required for the interactions. Microbes themselves also secrete peptide signals, which are detected by host receptors and required for infection. Among these are microbial peptides mimicking those of plants, allowing mutualistic or pathogenic microbes to hijack endogenous plant signaling pathways and evade the host immune system. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of current knowledge on host- and microbe-derived signaling peptides and their cognate receptors regulating mutualistic and parasitic plant-microbe interactions. Furthermore, we describe how microbes hijack endogenous host signaling pathways, and discuss possible crosstalk between the plant signaling pathways controlling mutualism with those modulating immune responses to pathogens.

Privacy as Social Norm: Systematically Reducing Dysfunctional Privacy Concerns on Social Media

Through co-design interviews (N=19) and a design evaluation survey (N=136) with U.S. teens ages 13-18, we investigated teens' privacy management on social media. Our study revealed that 28.1% of teens with public accounts and 15.3% with private accounts experience dysfunctional fear, that is, fear that diminishes their quality of life or paralyzes them from taking necessary precautions. These fears fall into three categories: fear of uncontrolled audience reach, fear of online hostility, and fear of personal privacy missteps. While current approaches often emphasize individual vigilance and restrictive measures, our findings show this can paradoxically lead teens to either withdraw from beneficial social interactions or resign themselves to accept privacy violations, viewing them as inevitable. Drawing on teen input, we developed and evaluated ten design prototypes that emphasize empowerment over fear, system-wide explicit emphasis on privacy, clear privacy norms, and flexible controls. Survey results indicate teens perceive these approaches as effectively reducing privacy concerns while preserving social benefits. Our findings suggest that platforms will be more likely to protect teens' privacy and less likely to manufacture unnecessary fear if they include designs that minimize the impact on other users, have low trade-offs with existing features, require minimal user effort, and function independently of community behavior. Such designs include: 1) alerting users about potentially unintentional personal information disclosure and 2) following up on user reports.

Beyond pathogenicity: the immunomodulatory role of the type III secretion system in beneficial plant-microbe interactions.

The type III secretion system (T3SS) has traditionally been studied for its role in bacterial virulence. However, recent research emphasizes its dual role in beneficial interactions between bacteria and plants. This review examines the immunomodulatory functions of T3SS beyond pathogenicity and focuses on how T3SS effectors manipulate plant immune responses to promote symbioses. By comparing T3SS mechanisms in pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, we aim to understand how this system enables beneficial microbes to colonize plants and improve plant growth and stress resilience. We also investigate the potential of T3SS to trigger induced systemic resistance in plants, a mechanism that could be utilized in agriculture to improve crop resistance to pathogens. The review concludes with an outlook on future research and emphasizes the need for comprehensive studies on T3SS effectors in non-pathogenic bacteria and their interactions with plant hosts.

Quorum sensing of Bifidobacteria: Research and progress.

Quorum sensing of Bifidobacteria: Research and progress.

Gender, Ecology and Autobiography: Unpacking of C.K. Janu’s Mother Forest

The present study employs an eco-feminist perspective to analyze the relationship between environmental exploitation and gender oppression in Indigenous contexts by examining C.K. Janu’s autobiography Mother Forest: The Unfinished Story of C.K. Janu. Janu, a Kerala-based Adivasi activist and leader, offers important insights into the close relationship between tribal women’s identities and their forest ecosystems. Through her depiction of the mutually beneficial interaction between Adivasi women and the environment, Janu’s life story undermines prevailing patriarchal and capitalist narratives, as this study reveals. With a special focus on land rights concerns, traditional ecological knowledge, embodied resistance, and cultural preservation, the analysis shows how environmental deterioration and the marginalization of Indigenous women are similar. Janu’s autobiography documents the simultaneous colonization of women’s bodies and forest areas, becoming a potent counter-narrative that promotes gender equality and environmental justice. This study adds to the growing body of research on Indigenous eco-feminism by elevating underrepresented perspectives and emphasizing the value of forest sovereignty for Indian tribal people’s cultural survival and female empowerment.

Unraveling microbial shifts and plant growth responses in Chrysanthemum ‘Merlino’ due to artificial root exudates in horticultural substrates

IntroductionPlant growth and health are significantly influenced by the composition, activity, and diversity of the rhizosphere microbiome. Developing strategies to modify the rhizosphere microbiome to foster beneficial interactions with plants therefore is a promising avenue for sustainable plant production. One such strategy involves the addition of artificial root exudate compounds. This study evaluates the effects of artificial root exudates on the growth and performance of Chrysanthemum ‘Merlino’ and its rhizosphere microbiome.MethodsHorticultural substrates, both peatand compost-based, were supplemented with two concentrations of artificial root exudates containing fructose, glucose, sucrose, succinic acid, malic acid, arginine, serine, and cysteine. Twelve different treatments were tested in total. Plant physiological parameters, including root development, plant growth, and photosynthetic performance, were monitored to assess plant growth and stress responses. Microbial diversity shifts were analyzed using amplicon metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA gene (bacteria) and ITS region (fungi), alongside assessments of enzyme activity (alkaline phosphatase and urease) and microbial metabolic diversity.ResultsOur findings revealed significant impacts on microbial communities in the rhizosphere. Addition of artificial root exudates caused shifts in the bacterial and fungal community composition in both peatand compost-based substrates. The relative abundance of certain fungi increased in treatments with artificial root exudates, particularly those capable of metabolizing hexose or pentose sugars. That lead to a decrease in overall fungal diversity. Although bacterial diversity was not affected, the addition of artificial root exudates enhanced their metabolic diversity. Moreover, the application of artificial root exudates increased the activities of alkaline phosphatase and urease enzymes. Anticipated positive effects on plant growth were not observed: high concentrations of artificial root exudates (three weekly applications of 250 mg C g−1 substrate) resulted in reduced root development across all four horticultural substrates. Additionally, the highest concentration of artificial root exudates appeared to induce plant stress in peat-based substrates, as evidenced by lower dry mass of the plants and reduced Fv/Fm and PIabs.DiscussionWhile artificial root exudates significantly alter the rhizosphere microbiome, they do not necessarily promote plant growth and may, depending on the composition and concentration, induce stress and inhibit root development in horticultural substrates.

Performance of an integrated system composed of native soil amended with ZVI/FeS nanoparticles-based technosols and a bioreactor for the treatment of acid rock drainage.

We assessed combined, low-cost physical-chemical and biological treatment system for the remediation of acid rock drainage (ARD). Two columns composed of native soil amended with zero valent iron and iron sulfide (ZVI/FeS) nanoparticles-based Technosols were connected to a sulfate-reducing (SR) bioreactor; this integrated treatment system was fed with ARD obtained from mines in El Oro, Ecuador. A control sulfate-reducing bioreactor fed directly with ARD was run in parallel. The bioreactors were operated dynamically for four periods, and every 21days, the fraction of ARD in the influent was increased stepwise from 25 to 100%. The integrated treatment system demonstrated superior removal efficiencies for Fe (99%), As (99.9%), Cd (99%), Cu (98%), Mn (91%), and Zn (99.9%), while both bioreactors achieved similar sulfate reduction (50-52%) and raised ARD pH from 2.75 to ~ 8. However, the ZVI/FeS nanoparticles-based Technosols significantly improved the removal of As (99.9% vs. 68%) and Mn (91% vs. 71%), compared to the control bioreactor. Molecular ecology analysis of the biomass in the bioreactors using 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that higher ARD concentrations enhanced sulfidogenesis, promoting beneficial interactions within communities in the sulfate-reducing niche. This study highlights the value of the ZVI/FeS nanoparticles-based Technosols in optimizing ARD bioremediation, offering a promising solution for mining effluent management in low-middle-income countries (LMIC).

Helminth Coinfections Modulate Disease Dynamics and Vaccination Success in the Era of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Background/Objectives: Helminth infections, particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, have been extensively studied for their effects on human health. With the emergence of new infectious diseases like SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola, their impact on disease outcomes become more apparent. While individual studies have explored the impact of helminth co-infections on disease severity and vaccine efficacy, the findings are often inconsistent and context-dependent. Furthermore, the long-term effects of helminth-mediated immunosuppression on vaccine efficacy and its broader implications for co-infections in endemic regions remain not fully understood. Methods: This systematic review conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines synthesizes the current evidence, identifies patterns, and highlights areas needing further research, offering a cohesive understanding of the topic. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library were searched to include studies published from 2003 to February 2025. Results: Co-infection reveals a dual role of helminths in modulating immune responses, with both beneficial and detrimental interactions reported across studies. It may confer benefits against respiratory viral infections by muting hyper-inflammation associated with the severity of conditions like COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV. However, they can exacerbate disease outcomes in most bacteria and blood-borne viral conditions by impairing immune functions, such as neutrophil recruitment and antibody response, leading to more severe infections and higher viral loads. The stage of helminth infection also appears critical, with early-stage infections sometimes offering protection, while late-stage infections may worsen disease outcomes. Helminth infection can also negatively impact vaccine efficacy by suppressing B cell activity, reducing antibody levels, and decreasing vaccine effectiveness against infectious diseases. This immunosuppressive effect may persist after deworming, complicating efforts to restore vaccine efficacy. Maternal helminth infections also significantly influence neonatal immunity, affecting newborn vaccine responses. Conclusions: There is a need for targeted interventions and further research in helminth-endemic regions to mitigate the adverse effects on vaccine efficacy and improve public health outcomes.

Unlocking Rhizosphere Dynamics: Exploring Mechanisms of Plant-Microbe Interactions for Enhanced Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) Productivity.

The rhizosphere, the interface between plant roots and soil, refers to the contact zone where plants and soil microbes engage in beneficial and parasitic interactions. The significant interactions and their importance form a dynamic interface between the roots of plants and the soil. Beneficial ones, especially plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), improve plant development and enhance stress resistance due to microbial secretions, exudates from roots, and edaphic factors. All these are very important in cultivating tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O Kuntze) plants, boosting growth, yield, and leaf content of amino acids, proteins, caffeine, and polyphenols. Yet, the molecular mechanisms of such interactions necessitate high-end technologies like genome editing and proteomics to fine-tune rhizosphere dynamics for greater plant health and productivity. The root exudates, rich in nutrients, serve as a source of food for the soil microbes while facilitating communication and colonisation by beneficial organisms, such as AMF and bacteria, thus significantly impacting the performance of a tea plant. High nitrogen fertilisers are readily applied in tea farming, although environmental risks include soil acidification and increased emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. Understanding and manipulating plant root-soil microbe interactions are critical for developing sustainable farming systems that enhance productivity without causing environmental damage. This review describes the mechanisms by which beneficial microbes function in the rhizosphere, strategies for modifying root exudates to improve tea production, and the tea microbiome's underexplored potential in contributing towards sustainability. This review thus emerges as one that presents knowledge gaps and possible future directions in tea microbiome science predicated on the amelioration of tea farming by enhancing productivity and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Elucidating long non-coding RNA networks in tomato plants in response to Funneliformis mosseae colonization and cucumber mosaic virus infection

Tomato plants face biotic challenges like infections by cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), a member of the Cucumovirus genus in the Bromoviridae family, as well as beneficial interactions, such as colonization by the symbiotic fungus Funneliformis mosseae, which belongs to the Glomeraceae family. While this symbiosis boosts nutrient uptake and stress tolerance, viral infections can reduce yield and quality. Understanding how tomatoes manage these interactions is vital for enhancing crop productivity. To explore the molecular mechanisms behind these interactions, this study focuses on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which play crucial roles in gene regulation, stress response, and plant metabolic pathways. Tomato RNA-seq data were analyzed to identify lncRNAs and their interactions with microRNAs (miRNAs) through de novo assembly, mapping, expression analysis, and localization prediction. In this study, 3210 lncRNAs were identified from 12 SRA datasets of tomato plants, including control, CMV-infected, F. mosseae-colonized, and co-infected samples. Among these, 3194 were novel lncRNAs and 16 were conserved. Expression analysis revealed significant differential expression patterns across treatments. Pathway analysis indicated that these lncRNAs are involved in key metabolic processes, such as carbon metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and secondary metabolite production, suggesting their role in enhancing disease resistance. Furthermore, we predicted interactions between identified lncRNAs and miRNAs, including miR160a, miR166a/b, miR167a, miR171a/b/c, miR1917, miR1918, and miR395a/b, thereby highlighting potential regulatory networks that could modulate stress responses. The subcellular localization of identified lncRNAs revealed a predominance in the cytoplasm, implying their involvement in post-transcriptional regulation. This study accentuates the significance of lncRNAs in tomato plant defense mechanisms and provides a foundation for future research focused on enriching resistance to viral infections and boosting stress resilience.

OPTIMAL CEMENT REPLACEMENT LEVELS IN CONCRETE USING GROUND GRANULATED BLAST FURNACE-SLAG FOR WORKABILITY AND STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT.

Workability and strength development of concrete incorporating Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) as partial replacements (10%, 20%, and 30%) for Portland cement (PC) has been investigated. The nature of the components of GGBS has shown a glassy sphere with a composite shell. The form, size, and physical nature of the particles are shown to be the main influences affecting the workability of fresh GGBS concretes and the strength development of the hardened GGBS concrete. The relationship between progressive GGBS particle reaction and strength gain with time has been observed for standard cured concretes up to 28 days. The workability of the concrete was measured by the slump tests. Reductions in the workability were obtained when the mixtures contained 10% GGBS, with greater reductions being experienced as the GGBS replacement level increased up to 30%. Similarly, a relationship between progressive GGBS particle reaction and strength gain with prolonged days of curing time has been observed for standard cured concretes. The early strength development due to the addition of GBBS is largely a beneficial interaction between the normal hydration of cement and the latently hydraulic reaction of GBBS. The study concluded that replacing up to 30% of the optimal replacement of cement in concrete with GGBS could reduce concrete production costs on a project while retaining the acceptable levels of concrete workability and required strength developed.

Target-Guided Design and Synthesis of Aryl-Functionalized Promysalin Analogs.

The development of new narrow-spectrum antibiotics is a promising approach to combat antibiotic resistance. Promysalin, a secondary metabolite isolated from Pseudomonas putida, exhibits potent species-specific inhibition of the pathogen P. aeruginosa (IC50 21 nM). Herein, the total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of promysalin, structure-activity relationship studies, and the identification of its molecular target, succinate dehydrogenase, are previously reported by the group. These findings enable computational studies of promysalin's interactions with succinate dehydrogenase, revealing a novel binding site region primed for π-π stacking interactions with a nearby tryptophan residue. It is hypothesized that new aromatic analogs of promysalin can target this beneficial interaction, potentially leading to more potent inhibitors of P. aeruginosa growth. Herein, the in silico design of these analogs, a scalable and general synthetic route to access them, and characterization of their activity against a panel of clinically relevant P. aeruginosa strains are reported.

Integrating microbial communities into algal biotechnology: a pathway to enhanced commercialization.

Microalgae are increasingly recognized for their potential in wastewater treatment and the sustainable production of feedstock for fuel, feed, food, and other bioproducts. Like conventional agricultural systems, algal cultivation involves complex microbial communities. However, despite their pivotal role in cultivation outcomes, especially at the commodity-scale, the critical interactions between microalgae and their microbiomes are often overlooked. Here we synthesize current knowledge on the taxonomic diversity, ecological roles, and biotechnological potential of algal microbiomes, with a focus on their interactions with algal hosts through nutrient exchange, growth modulation, pathogen defense, and environmental conditioning. We also examine how environmental factors such as nutrient availability, salinity, and temperature influence these interactions. Advances in microbiome engineering, including synthetic biology and ecological approaches, offer opportunities to enhance beneficial algal-microbiome interactions, thereby improving growth, resilience, and yield. These advancements could lead to more sustainable and economically viable microalgae cultivation, with far-reaching implications for environmental management and biotechnological innovation. By addressing key economic and environmental barriers, microbiome engineering holds transformative potential to revolutionize large-scale algae cultivation and provide sustainable solutions to global challenges.

Role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in sustainable agriculture: Addressing environmental and biological challenges.

Role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in sustainable agriculture: Addressing environmental and biological challenges.

Mutualisms as a framework for multi-robot collaboration.

Biology has inspired robotics since its inception as an academic discipline. However, the use of ecological principles in robotics is still relatively rare and in this paper, we explore how such principles can not only be of relevance to robotics, but can reciprocally lead to new insights into ecology. In particular, we investigate how mutualisms-jointly beneficial interactions between members of different species-can inform collaborative architectures for multi-robot systems comprised of different types of robots. To better understand how mutualisms can have practical relevance in robotics, we present a case study where the landscape heterogeneity, i.e., the configuration of the landscape, is varied, and we measure the efficiency of robots functioning independently or involved in a mutualism. We show that landscape composition impacts the benefits of forming mutualisms, which, in turn, has implications for mutualism emergence and stability in ecology. Moreover, through this case study, the concept of fitness and its components can be introduced for engineered systems, leading to notions of longevity, task fecundity, and, ultimately, robot fitness.