Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 124-130 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 127 Figure 1 Different approaches to understand the role of the root microbiome in plants. Schematic representation of information processing strategies (top-down and bottom-up) and the approaches that stand on the edges of them (reductionist and holistic) (Adopted from Marín et al., 2021) This body of work underpins a new paradigm in which the deliberate assembly of microbial species can be tailored to address specific agricultural challenges. By employing SynComs, scientists are able to invoke precise microbiome functions, such as enhanced stress response mechanisms in plants, which are crucial for maintaining productivity amidst climatic and environmental adversities. 4.3 Case studies: protection against soilborne pathogens, nutrient efficiency, and plant growth promotion Several case studies have underlined the effectiveness of SynComs in protecting crops against soilborne pathogens. Yin et al. (2022) illustrated how wheat crops benefitted from SynComs sourced from rhizosphere soil, which offered protection against fungal pathogens, thereby reducing the dependency on chemical fungicides . Beyond pathogen defense, SynComs have been recognized for their role in optimizing nutrient uptake and utilization. Wang et al. (2021) reported that certain functionally assembled SynComs could substantially improve nutrient efficiency and yields in soybean crops. Such findings suggest that SynComs could lead to reduced fertilizer use, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, there is an emerging interest in the use of SynComs derived from compost-derived microbes. Tsolakidou et al. (2018) explored this domain, revealing that these specialized microbial pools could consistently enhance plant growth and health . These developments highlight the versatile nature of SynComs in various agricultural contexts, from boosting growth to ensuring crop survival under biotic and abiotic stressors. The research progress in SynComs indicates a promising trend towards developing more resilient agricultural systems that can withstand the test of changing global environmental conditions. The potential of SynComs to revolutionize crop management practices is immense, paving the way for a future where sustainable and resilient agriculture is the norm. 5 Integration with Traditional Plant Breeding 5.1 How SynCom principles assist in traditional plant breeding The integration of Synthetic Microbial Communities (SynComs) with traditional breeding techniques represents a pioneering approach to enhancing crop production and resilience. Traditional breeding has focused primarily on
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