The role of plant-microbe interactions in legume non-legume intercropping success

Intercropping is of interest to farmers and researchers because of the increase in productivity observed in these systems. Beneficial soil microorganisms present in the microbiome could play a role in increased crop yields as they improve plant growth, provide protection from soilborne pathogens, and aid with drought stress. Therefore, research has been done to determine if these advantages are observed in intercropping systems and how it impacts the makeup and function of the soil microbiome. This review covers current findings on how the soil microbiome is impacted by intercropping regarding its roles in nutrient availability, plant stress responses, and if the soil microbiome can be altered to further improve plant success.