M genes as a new frontier in plant protection

Abstract The ongoing battle against plant pathogens is not only a race to develop and improve control technologies as pathogens evolve and climates change, but also an increasing economic burden. Even though researchers have found a plethora of evidence during the last few decades that the plant's microbiota can provide extended protection against a wide range of phytopathogens, its potential remains mostly untapped. Recent studies have established clear connections between plant genetics and distinct members of the microbiota. This has paved the way for the development of the ( M ) icrobiome gene framework. M genes, host genes that shape the plant's microbiome, provide a tangible basis for engineering the plant microbiota to offer extended protection against prevalent diseases. Here, we contrast plant protection based on M genes with classical, well‐established strategies. We also highlight the advantages of counteracting pathogens via this newly emerged strategy and point out obstacles as well as potential future trajectories.