Rhizosphere Microbiome-Assisted Approaches for Biotic Stress Management

The rhizosphere microbiome modulates plant health in many ways and assists in projecting resistance against biotic stress. It harbors phylogenetically diverse microbes, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and yeast. Many of these microbes carry the potential to promote plant growth and antagonize phytopathogens. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques have been extensively used to study the microbial diversity to gain further insight into the rhizo-microbiome constituents. Application of biocontrol agents (BCAs) obtained from rhizobiome bioprospection with antagonistic activity provides an affordable and environmentally friendly approach to protect plants under biotic stress conditions. Microbe-derived control agents present viable and sustainable paths to avoid use of harmful synthetic fungicides and pesticides having an adverse impact on Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, understanding the advancements and relevant knowledge generation toward microbial bioprospection and diversity characterization simultaneously. Thus, prominent characteristic features of the rhizospheric microbiome, major techniques under application to characterize microbial diversity, and their utilization in disease suppression with their mode of action have been discussed thoroughly utilizing various examples. Analysis of facets of the rhizospheric microbiome and discussion on their application part could provide an updated knowledge framework in the area of the associated rhizospheric microbiome.