Phyto-microbiome engineering: Designing plant-microbe interactions for improved crop performance

Phyto-microbiome engineering refers to the strategic manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities to enhance crop growth, resilience, and productivity. The plant microbiome, consisting of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms, plays a crucial role in plant health, aiding in nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, disease resistance, and overall plant vigor. With increasing global challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, and the need for sustainable agriculture, optimizing these plant-microbe interactions offers a promising solution. This engineering approach involves identifying beneficial microbial strains, optimizing their application in agricultural systems, and promoting symbiotic relationships that enhance plant development. By understanding the molecular mechanisms governing these interactions, scientists can design microbial consortia that are tailored to specific crops and environmental conditions. This could lead to reduced dependency on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and water while improving crop yields and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this review, we explore the latest developments in phyto-microbiome engineering, focusing on its objectives, applications, and the tools and techniques used for manipulating microbial communities and enhancing plant-microbe interactions. We examine how these approaches can be integrated into contemporary agricultural practices to boost crop performance. Additionally, we delve into case studies showcasing successful engineered phyto-microbiome, and propose a framework to ensure the sustainable and ethical use of these strategies in improving crop yields and resilience. • Phytomicrobiomes playing a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture. • Environmental factors affect phytomicrobiome diversity and functionality. • Advancements in multi-omics approaches enable deeper insights in crop improvement.