Special Issues

Soil Microbes and Abiotic Stress Factors: Impacts on Root Physiology, Crop Growth, and Hormonal Dynamics

Submission Deadline: 30 April 2025 (closed) View: 266 Submit to Special Issue

Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Loredana Maria Scalschi

Email: scalschi@sg.uji.es

Affiliation: Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, University JaumeI, 12071,Castellon de la Plana, Spain

Homepage:

Research Interests: plant defense, nitrogen fixation, endophytes, plant-microbe interactions apoplastic proteins and peptides, induced resistance, microbiology, plant pathogens, clinical pathogens, biofertilizers, sustainable agriculture


Prof. Dr. Ana Isabel González Hernández

Email: aigonzalez@usal.es

Affiliation: Department Construction and Agronomy, University of Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain

Homepage:

Research Interests: plant defense, plant-microbe interactions, induced resistance, biostimulants, sustainable agriculture microbiology, plant pathogens


Dr. Atefeh Farvardin

Email: farvardi@uji.es

Affiliation: Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, University JaumeI, 12071,Castellon de la Plana, Spain

Homepage:

Research Interests: plant defense, apoplastic proteins and peptides, induced resistance, plant-microbe interactions, nitrogen fixation, endophytes, biofertilizers, sustainable agriculture microbiology, plant pathogens, clinical pathogens,  


Dr. Luisa Liu Xu

Email: lliu@uji.es

Affiliation: Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Natural Sciences, University JaumeI, 12071,Castellon de la Plana, Spain

Research Interests: plant defense, fungal endophytes, plant microbiome, plant-microbe interactions nitrogen fixation, induced resistance, biofertilizers, sustainable agriculture microbiology, plant pathogens


Summary

The interactions between soil microbes and plants under abiotic stress are crucial for sustainable agriculture. Stressors like drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures threaten crop productivity, and climate change intensifies these challenges. Soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, support plant health by influencing root development, nutrient uptake, and stress responses, especially through hormonal signaling. Understanding these microbial interactions and their effects on plant hormones can lead to strategies that enhance crop resilience and yield, offering solutions for global food security amid climate unpredictability.


This Special Issue focuses on how soil microbes interact with abiotic stress factors to influence root physiology, crop growth, and hormonal dynamics. It aims to present research on the role of soil microbes in modulating plant responses to environmental stress, highlighting the physiological and biochemical pathways involved. We welcome research articles and reviews that examine the role of soil microbes in plant stress resilience. Submissions integrating molecular, and physiological, approaches are especially encouraged. This issue promotes interdisciplinary research linking soil microbiology, plant physiology, and stress biology to support sustainable agriculture.


The following themes are suggested for contributors:

1. Microbial Influence on Plant Hormonal Dynamics Under Abiotic Stress: Exploring how soil microbes affect hormonal signaling pathways under various stress conditions.

2. Root System Architecture and Microbial Interactions in Response to Abiotic Stress: Studies on how microbial communities influence root development and stress resilience.

3. Molecular Mechanisms of Microbe-Induced Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Research on the molecular pathways through which microbes confer stress tolerance to plants.

4. Microbial Consortia for Enhancing Crop Resilience: Research on using combinations of microbes to promote plant growth and stress resilience.

5. Integrative Approaches for Stress Management: Combining soil microbiome research with plant physiology to develop strategies for managing abiotic stress.

6. Advances in Microbiome-Based Technologies: Innovative methods, like bioinoculants, that use microbes to enhance crop resilience and sustainability.

7. Impact of Soil Health on Microbial-Driven Stress Responses: How soil health factors influence the effectiveness of microbes in enhancing plant resilience.


Keywords

soil microbes, abiotic stress, root physiology, crop growth, hormonal dynamics, plant-microbe interactions, stress resilience, sustainable agriculture

Published Papers


  • Open Access

    REVIEW

    Function of Biochar: Alleviation of Heat Stress in Plants and Improvement of Soil Microbial Communities

    Arpita Rani Roy, Israt Jahan, Sharah Jabeen Mou, Md. Farhan Hasin, Prodipto Bishnu Angon, Rebeka Sultana, Badhon Mazumder, Md. Arif Sakil
    Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1177-1210, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063675
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Soil Microbes and Abiotic Stress Factors: Impacts on Root Physiology, Crop Growth, and Hormonal Dynamics)
    Abstract Global warming is making plants more susceptible to heat stress. Hence, adjustments to crop production systems are required for global food security. Heat stress (HS) poses a threat to the quality of ecosystems and global food security due to its adverse effects on plant development. The degree to which HS affects physiological disruptions, physical harm, and biochemical changes at various growth stages directly correlates with its effects on physiological functions, plant growth, and crop production. One promising approach is soil modification using biochar, which enhances soil health and promotes the development of microbial communities, ultimately… More >

  • Open Access

    REVIEW

    Impact of Soil Microbes and Abiotic Stress on Strawberry Root Physiology and Growth: A Review

    Hira Akhtar, Akhtar Hameed, Rana Binyamin, Kashif Riaz, Hafiz Muhammad Usman Aslam, Faizan Ali, Subhan Ali, Zuniara Akash, Muhammad Saqlain Zaheer, Kamran Ikram, Yasir Niaz, Hafiz Haider Ali
    Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 561-581, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061262
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Soil Microbes and Abiotic Stress Factors: Impacts on Root Physiology, Crop Growth, and Hormonal Dynamics)
    Abstract Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) is well known among consumers because of its attractive color, delicious taste, and nutritional benefits. It is widely grown worldwide, but its production has become a significant challenge due to changing climatic conditions that lead to abiotic stresses in plants, which results in poor root development, nutrient deficiency, and poor plant health. In this context, the major abiotic stresses are temperature fluctuations, water shortages, and high levels of soil salinity. The accumulation of salts in excessive amounts disrupts the osmotic balance and impairs physiological processes. However, drought reduces fruit size, yield, and quality.… More >

Share Link