The soil microbiome plays an important role in maintaining soil health, plant productivity,
and soil ecosystem services. Current molecular-based studies have shed light on the
fact that the soil microbiome has been quantitatively underestimated. In addition
to metagenomic studies, metaproteomics and metatranscriptomic studies that target
the functional part of the microbiome are becoming more common. These are important
for a better understanding of the functional role of the microbiome and for deciphering
plant-microbe interactions. Free-living beneficial bacteria that promote plant growth
by colonizing plant roots are called plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs).
They exert their beneficial effects in different ways, either by facilitating the
uptake of nutrients and synthesizing particular compounds for plants or by preventing
and protecting plants from diseases. A better understanding of plant-microbe interactions
in both natural and agroecosystems will offer us a biotechnological tool for managing
soil fertility and obtaining a high-yield food production system.
