Microbiome Management to Promote Plant Growth on Millet

The microbiome is a community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that inhabit a specific environment. In agriculture, the term “rhizospheric microbiome” is used to describe beneficial microbes that surround plant roots and promote plant growth and protection. This microbiome is comprised of bacteria and fungi that live in and on plants, aiding their growth and health. A subset of rhizospheric microorganisms, known as endophytic microorganisms, can colonize and reside within plant tissues without causing any damage or symptoms to the plant. These microorganisms can form consortia that work together to benefit plants. Plants attract beneficial microorganisms and repel potentially harmful ones by releasing substances through their roots. Plant microbiomes can protect plants from environmental stress, and plant growth–promoting bacteria in the microbiome can enhance plant growth by interacting with plants in beneficial ways. The microbiome can protect plants from various environmental stresses both directly and indirectly. Soil microorganisms in the microbiome can work together as a group that has a strong positive effect on plants. Microbiome composition can be influenced by the habitat and geographic location of the plant. Although certain studies have demonstrated that the microbiome can be engineered and manipulated to efficiently provide advantages to plants, limited information is available on how these microbiomes can be modulated to benefit millet crops. This chapter discusses current studies and explores the potential use of microbiome management to optimize millet production or at least address the current challenges in this field.