TY - JOUR
T1 - From Microns to Meters
T2 - Exploring Advances in Legume Microbiome Diversity for Agroecosystem Benefits
AU - Schaedel, Marie
AU - Hidrobo, Gabriela
AU - Grossman, Julie
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright © 2021 Schaedel, Hidrobo and Grossman.
PY - 2021/10/12
Y1 - 2021/10/12
N2 - Legumes are of primary importance for agroecosystems because they provide protein-rich foods and enhance soil fertility through fixed atmospheric nitrogen. The legume-rhizobia symbiosis that makes this possible has been extensively studied, from basic research on biochemical signaling to practical applications in cropping systems. While rhizobia are the most-studied group of associated microorganisms, the functional benefit they confer to their legume hosts by fixing nitrogen is not performed in isolation. Indeed, non-rhizobia members of the rhizosphere and nodule microbiome are now understood to contribute in multiple ways to nodule formation, legume fitness, and other agroecosystem services. In this review, we summarize advances contributing to our understanding of the diversity and composition of bacterial members of the belowground legume microbiome. We also highlight applied work in legume food and forage crops that link microbial community composition with plant functional benefits. Ultimately, further research will assist in the development of multi-species microbial inoculants and cropping systems that maximize plant nutrient benefits, while reducing sources of agricultural pollution.
AB - Legumes are of primary importance for agroecosystems because they provide protein-rich foods and enhance soil fertility through fixed atmospheric nitrogen. The legume-rhizobia symbiosis that makes this possible has been extensively studied, from basic research on biochemical signaling to practical applications in cropping systems. While rhizobia are the most-studied group of associated microorganisms, the functional benefit they confer to their legume hosts by fixing nitrogen is not performed in isolation. Indeed, non-rhizobia members of the rhizosphere and nodule microbiome are now understood to contribute in multiple ways to nodule formation, legume fitness, and other agroecosystem services. In this review, we summarize advances contributing to our understanding of the diversity and composition of bacterial members of the belowground legume microbiome. We also highlight applied work in legume food and forage crops that link microbial community composition with plant functional benefits. Ultimately, further research will assist in the development of multi-species microbial inoculants and cropping systems that maximize plant nutrient benefits, while reducing sources of agricultural pollution.
KW - legumes
KW - microbiome
KW - plant-microbe interactions
KW - rhizosphere
KW - sustainable agriculture
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118703794&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85118703794&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fsufs.2021.668195
DO - 10.3389/fsufs.2021.668195
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85118703794
SN - 2571-581X
VL - 5
JO - Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
JF - Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
M1 - 668195
ER -