Soil Microbes and Abiotic Stress Factors: Impacts on Root Physiology, Crop Growth, and Hormonal Dynamics

Submission Deadline: 30 April 2025 View: 120 Submit to Special Issue

Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Loredana Maria Scalschi

Email: scalschi@sg.uji.es

Affiliation: Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, University JaumeI, 12071,Castellon de la Plana, Spain

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Research Interests: plant defense, nitrogen fixation, endophytes, plant-microbe interactions apoplastic proteins and peptides, induced resistance, microbiology, plant pathogens, clinical pathogens, biofertilizers, sustainable agriculture

Prof. Dr. Ana Isabel González Hernández

Email: aigonzalez@usal.es

Affiliation: Department Construction and Agronomy, University of Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain

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Research Interests: plant defense, plant-microbe interactions, induced resistance, biostimulants, sustainable agriculture microbiology, plant pathogens

Dr. Atefeh Farvardin

Email: farvardi@uji.es

Affiliation: Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, University JaumeI, 12071,Castellon de la Plana, Spain

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Research Interests: plant defense, apoplastic proteins and peptides, induced resistance, plant-microbe interactions, nitrogen fixation, endophytes, biofertilizers, sustainable agriculture microbiology, plant pathogens, clinical pathogens,  

Dr. Luisa Liu Xu

Email: lliu@uji.es

Affiliation: Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, University JaumeI, 12071,Castellon de la Plana, Spain

Research Interests: plant defense, fungal endophytes, plant microbiome, plant-microbe interactions nitrogen fixation, induced resistance, biofertilizers, sustainable agriculture microbiology, plant pathogens

Summary

The interactions between soil microbes and plants under abiotic stress are crucial for sustainable agriculture. Stressors like drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures threaten crop productivity, and climate change intensifies these challenges. Soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, support plant health by influencing root development, nutrient uptake, and stress responses, especially through hormonal signaling. Understanding these microbial interactions and their effects on plant hormones can lead to strategies that enhance crop resilience and yield, offering solutions for global food security amid climate unpredictability.

This Special Issue focuses on how soil microbes interact with abiotic stress factors to influence root physiology, crop growth, and hormonal dynamics. It aims to present research on the role of soil microbes in modulating plant responses to environmental stress, highlighting the physiological and biochemical pathways involved. We welcome research articles and reviews that examine the role of soil microbes in plant stress resilience. Submissions integrating molecular, and physiological, approaches are especially encouraged. This issue promotes interdisciplinary research linking soil microbiology, plant physiology, and stress biology to support sustainable agriculture.

The following themes are suggested for contributors:

1. Microbial Influence on Plant Hormonal Dynamics Under Abiotic Stress: Exploring how soil microbes affect hormonal signaling pathways under various stress conditions.

2. Root System Architecture and Microbial Interactions in Response to Abiotic Stress: Studies on how microbial communities influence root development and stress resilience.

3. Molecular Mechanisms of Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Research on the molecular pathways through which microbes confer stress tolerance to plants.

4. Microbial Consortia for Enhancing Crop Resilience: Research on using combinations of microbes to promote plant growth and stress resilience.

5. Integrative Approaches for Stress Management: Combining soil microbiome research with plant physiology to develop strategies for managing abiotic stress.

6. Advances in Microbiome-Based Technologies: Innovative methods, like bioinoculants, that use microbes to enhance crop resilience and sustainability.

7. Impact of Soil Health on Microbial-Driven Stress Responses: How soil health factors influence the effectiveness of microbes in enhancing plant resilience.

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