Plant-Microbe Interactions, Signalling Events, and Cellular Networks Against Harmful Pathogens

Plants have to face several pathogenic agents that pose a threat to growth and development. Their immune response strategy terminates progression of pathogenic microbial agents. Failure in the plant immune system permits entrance of pathogens, whosr reproduction harnesses primary production. Plants recognise pathogens through membrane receptors that trigger immunity (MAMP-triggered Immunity, MTI). This involves rapid calcium influx and oxidative burst. In response to MTI pathogens release effector proteins in cells. In response to MTI plants activate a second type of immune response, called Effector Triggered Immunity (ETI), which involves a cascade of complex signalling events leading to the pathogen suppression. Plants exhibit a further, effective immune response following a pathogen encounter, via a process known as Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR). In addition, plants also evolved an induced immune response due to their intricate association with unharmful, beneficial microbes. Association with mycorrhizae, rhizobia and endophytespositively induce such plant immune response. The present study reviews how plant-microbe interactions boost the plant immune system and how they can be exploited in plant protection.