Pathogenic Algae in Host Microbiota: Invasion Mechanism and Management Strategies

Microbiomes networks play a crucial role in plant development and underpin many ecological function. Plants microbiota comprises microorganisms that live inside or in their vicinity with interactions that influence the host physiology. A large number of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and algae are known to make up the complex network of microbial communities. Within their complex interactions, a few species show pathogenicity towards the host plant. Other species may act as significant antagonists, thereby positively influencing the host. These interactions elicit a cascade of signaling events, such as hormonal and induced systemic responses. An enormous number of pathogenic microbes, including algae, develop diverse strategies over time to infect a wide range of host plants. Upon successful infection, they can cause various impacts on the host at morphological, physiological and biochemical levels. However, understanding the complex connections between plant microbiome and algal pathogens is critical towards developing effective algal disease management techniques and mitigating their pathogenicity. In this chapter, therefore, we review the advancements in studies regarding algae as pathogens capable of causing various plant diseases. We also reviewed present efforts carried out to build long-term management strategies to prevent disease and increase ecosystem health by applying microbes present in the plant microbiota.