How protists contribute to plant growth and health: Exploring new interactions with the plant microbiome

The plant microbiome is a key determinant of plant fitness. Traditionally, research has focused on interactions involving a few microbial groups, such as bacteria and fungi, while other players, including protists, have been largely overlooked. Recently, protists have emerged as important regulators...

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Main Authors: Gustavo Santoyo, Ma del Carmen Orozco-Mosqueda, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:The Microbe
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625001293
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author Gustavo Santoyo
Ma del Carmen Orozco-Mosqueda
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
author_facet Gustavo Santoyo
Ma del Carmen Orozco-Mosqueda
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
author_sort Gustavo Santoyo
collection DOAJ
description The plant microbiome is a key determinant of plant fitness. Traditionally, research has focused on interactions involving a few microbial groups, such as bacteria and fungi, while other players, including protists, have been largely overlooked. Recently, protists have emerged as important regulators of plant microbiome diversity and functionality. Beyond providing direct ecological services, protists influence the structure of rhizosphere populations, promoting those with beneficial roles for plants. Emerging evidence further reveals that the regulatory effects of protists extend beyond the rhizosphere, shaping endophytic communities. As the importance of protists becomes increasingly evident, future crop production strategies must integrate their role as regulators of microbiome functionality and plant performance.
format Article
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issn 2950-1946
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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record_format Article
series The Microbe
spelling doaj-art-6530a0be730d4e88b947c2484151d2312025-08-20T03:51:58ZengElsevierThe Microbe2950-19462025-06-01710036110.1016/j.microb.2025.100361How protists contribute to plant growth and health: Exploring new interactions with the plant microbiomeGustavo Santoyo0Ma del Carmen Orozco-Mosqueda1Olubukola Oluranti Babalola2Institute of Biological and Chemical Research, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Ciudad Universitaria, Morelia, Michoacán 58030, Mexico; Corresponding authors.Department of Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, Tecnológico Nacional de México en Celaya, Celaya 38010, Mexico; Corresponding authors.Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Mail Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa; Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire, UKThe plant microbiome is a key determinant of plant fitness. Traditionally, research has focused on interactions involving a few microbial groups, such as bacteria and fungi, while other players, including protists, have been largely overlooked. Recently, protists have emerged as important regulators of plant microbiome diversity and functionality. Beyond providing direct ecological services, protists influence the structure of rhizosphere populations, promoting those with beneficial roles for plants. Emerging evidence further reveals that the regulatory effects of protists extend beyond the rhizosphere, shaping endophytic communities. As the importance of protists becomes increasingly evident, future crop production strategies must integrate their role as regulators of microbiome functionality and plant performance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625001293Plant microbiomeProtistsPlant growth-promoting bacteriaBeneficial fungiRhizosphereEndophytes
spellingShingle Gustavo Santoyo
Ma del Carmen Orozco-Mosqueda
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
How protists contribute to plant growth and health: Exploring new interactions with the plant microbiome
The Microbe
Plant microbiome
Protists
Plant growth-promoting bacteria
Beneficial fungi
Rhizosphere
Endophytes
title How protists contribute to plant growth and health: Exploring new interactions with the plant microbiome
title_full How protists contribute to plant growth and health: Exploring new interactions with the plant microbiome
title_fullStr How protists contribute to plant growth and health: Exploring new interactions with the plant microbiome
title_full_unstemmed How protists contribute to plant growth and health: Exploring new interactions with the plant microbiome
title_short How protists contribute to plant growth and health: Exploring new interactions with the plant microbiome
title_sort how protists contribute to plant growth and health exploring new interactions with the plant microbiome
topic Plant microbiome
Protists
Plant growth-promoting bacteria
Beneficial fungi
Rhizosphere
Endophytes
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625001293
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