Exploitation of rhizosphere microbiome biodiversity in plant breeding

Climate change-induced stresses are perceived by plants at the root-soil interface, where they are alleviated through interactions between the host plant and the rhizosphere microbiome. The recruitment of specific microbiomes helps mitigate stress, increases resistance to pathogens, and promotes plant growth, development, and reproduction. The structure of the rhizosphere microbiome is shaped by crop domestication and variations in ploidy levels. Here we list key genes that regulate rhizosphere microbiomes and host genetic traits. We also discuss the prospects for rigorous analysis of symbiotic interactions, research needs, and strategies for systematically utilizing microbe-crop interactions to improve crop performance. Finally, we highlight challenges of maintaining live rhizosphere microbiome collections and mining heritable variability to enhance interactions between host plants and their rhizosphere microbiomes.