The Bacterial World Inside Plants

Since the emergence of plants, there have been interactions with microorganisms that were readily adapted to living in the hostile environment provided by the primitive Earth. The microorganisms were responsible for all the success that the plants had in the colonization of soils. Over time, the interactions between plants and associated microorganisms have evolved increasingly sophisticatedly. Today, studies show that both plants and microorganisms have modified their morphology, physiology, and genetics to care for and protect their interactions. This is because both recognize the numerous benefits arising from these interactions. Microorganisms also participate in the evolution of plants and in the emergence of plant diversity, which promotes the diversity of herbivores and omnivores. The influence of microorganisms on plants is numerous and varied, with characteristics affecting plant growth. Over time, plants have developed the ability to select beneficial microorganisms, primarily from the rhizosphere, which aids in growth and development in the face of challenges such as abiotic and biotic stresses. It is possible that these types of interactions have already occurred and require further study and understanding. This chapter discusses the relationships that occur among plant-associated microorganisms present in the rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and endosphere, as well as the factors and properties that modulate these environments and interactions.