Biostimulants have emerged as having the potential to sustainably enhance crop performance as well as yield quantity and nutritional quality. Although naturally rich in lysine, beans are generally deficient in sulfur-containing amino acids like methionine and cysteine. Improving the nutritional imbalance in beans is highly desirable, especially in those with cultural and economic value, like Fagiolo di Sorana, a high-quality Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) bean variety from Pistoia, Italy. A spirulina-based (1 g/L and 3 g/L) and a commercially available (MC EXTRA; 1 g/L) biostimulant were applied as foliar sprays for two consecutive years to Fagiolo di Sorana plants grown under both open field and semi-controlled greenhouse conditions. Productivity was higher in treated plants: a 7% increase (p-value, 0.036) was found in whole pod weight in the first year of the trial with 3 g/L and in the second year trial (p-value, 0.020) for MC EXTRA compared to the control. Improved amino acid composition of the beans were found, specifically an increase of 200% (p-value, 0.040) and 400% (p-value, 0.053) in methionine content with 3 g/L spirulina and MC EXTRA, respectively, compared to the control, thus addressing the bean’s typical deficiency in sulfur amino acids. Bean digestibility increased 3% (p-value, 0.013) with the higher concentration (3 g/L) of the spirulina-based biostimulant relative to the control-grown plants. Molecular barcoding identified genetic differences within a collection of ten Tuscan bean landraces, including the Fagiolo di Sorana variety, thus offering a first attempt at the genetic characterization essential for preserving landrace germplasm. These genetic data were then coupled with the assessment of protein digestibility to identify differences within the landrace collection. Thus, the use of biostimulants presents an opportunity to further enhance the yield and nutritional profile of this PDO without compromising its environmental integrity.

Both biotic and abiotic factors are raising concerns about Mediterranean oak forests resilience to climate change, particularly Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) forests. In the last decade, many drought events impacted this species in several Mediterranean countries, and a widespread decline of holm oak forests has been observed due to a combination of drought and the soil pathogen Phytophthora cinnamoni. In addition, climate change has induced a rise in mean winter temperatures, a seasonal shift of precipitation from summer to wintertime, and a tendency towards heavy rain and prolonged droughts, which are triggering factors for the current decline of holm oak in Mediterranean regions. The resulting reduction in holm oak forest vitality and productivity can ultimately lead to profound changes in ecosystem processes and functions. Previous studies based on tree-ring δ13C and SSR genotyping showed that different holm oak populations can differ in their water use efficiency, resulting in different drought tolerance. This study highlighted the potential of this analysis for the selection of seed-bearing genotypes aimed to preserve Mediterranean holm oak ecosystem and improving its forest management. In this context, LIFE RECLOAK project aims to restore and improve the conservation status of threatened forests by holm oak dieback using genotypes characterized by high level of drought tolerance and pathogen resistance. A step-by-step approach will allow the achievement of this ambitious goal over the five years of the project. In the first instance, drought-tolerant and pathogen-resistant genotypes will be selected through a genetic screening based on SSR genotyping and the identification of genetic markers associated with stress tolerance. A mesocosm trial will be carried out to confirm the drought tolerance and the pathogen resistance of the holm oak genotypes. Then, the selected seedlings will be planted in four pilot sites areas located in Mediterranean holm oak forests included in Natura 2000 network and affected by widespread dieback: Monti dell’Uccellina in Parco della Maremma (Tuscany, Italy); Parco della Maddalena (Sardinia, Italy); Muela de Cortes y el Caroche (Valencia province, Spain), Raso del Conejo Forest (Sierra Morena, Andalucia, Spain) and Wied il-Mielaħ u l-Inħawi tal-Madwar (Malta). After that, seasonal and multi-year monitoring for three years after the plantation will begin at each pilot site. The monitoring of pilot sites will be done by visual assessment and through the measurement of plant physiological performances by integrating gas exchange measurements with proximal sensing measures. The effects of reforestation on ecosystem functioning and climate mitigation will be investigated by measuring soil moisture, respiration, and microbial communities’ composition, as well as monitoring understory and overstory vegetation cover and biomass accumulation. Overall, this project will provide a reliable demonstration of restoring forest structure, thereby promoting forestry with conservation objectives and opening the possibility of restoring other Mediterranean areas affected by holm oak dieback.

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a key crop within the Fabaceae family, is one of the most widely grown and consumed legumes in the world. However, many genotypes and landraces remain understudied, including the Sorana ecotype, traditionally cultivated in Italy along the Pescia river. It is well-adapted to alluvial, sandy soils with low calcium content. To investigate its adaptive mechanisms to calcium deficiency, we grew Sorana bean plants under control (2 mM Ca2+), moderate (0.4 mM), and severe (0.2 mM) calcium deficiency conditions, from sowing to pod harvest. Both calcium-deficient conditions negatively affected plant biomass, photosynthetic pigment levels, polyphenol content, and stomatal conductance. Interestingly, moderate calcium deficiency enhanced yield, harvest index, and pod harvest index, indicating great sink strength and a shift in resource allocation. Bean skin thickness, a defining trait of this ecotype, was also influenced by calcium availability. At the molecular level, abscisic acid-related genes showed differential expression depending on calcium concentration, suggesting a threshold-dependent activation of stress-response pathways. Our results indicate that Sorana adapts to calcium-poor environments by prioritizing seed production over vegetative growth. This strategy, along with its distinctive agronomic traits, positions Sorana as a valuable genetic resource for breeding programs aimed at improving crop resilience and yield under suboptimal soil conditions.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is regulated by carotenoid-derived molecules, including strigolactones and other apocarotenoids. However, the role of root carotene availability remains poorly understood. Here we evaluated AM performance in tomato using two mutants showing contrasting root carotenoid profiles, i.e. cyc-b7, an EMS-derived TILLING mutant carrying a characterized mutation in Cyc-B, and 7458-Y, an uncharacterized mutant line showing high carotenoid accumulation), compared to their related wild type (Red Setter). Not-inoculated and AM fungal inoculated plants were grown under controlled conditions and root colonization parameters were assessed after two months. Root carotenoids were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and RNA-seq analysis was performed on root samples to understand the tomato response to the inoculation. Roots of cyc-b7 accumulated significantly lower total carotenoids than Red Setter, including reduced lutein and β-carotene, whereas 7458-Y showed increased β-carotene, together with higher arbuscule abundance than both Red Setter and cyc-b7. Transcriptome profiling revealed a genotype-dependent response to AMF inoculation, with symbiosis-related genes differentially regulated in the two mutant lines. In cyc-b7, AMF inoculation was associated with reduced expression of genes encoding nutrient transporters, as well as of a gene encoding a symbiosis receptor-like kinase (SYMRK), a component of the common symbiosis signaling pathway. By contrast, in 7458-Y, AMF inoculation was associated with up-regulation of a gene encoding a LysM receptor-like kinase involved in AM establishment, and of a gene, SlD27, related to strigolactone biosynthesis. Overall, our results support a link between root carotenoid metabolism and AMF colonization.

The relationship between plants and microorganisms has ancient roots. However, only recently we have begun to appreciate the true complexity of the holobiont and its intricate interactions. Fungi, bacteria and viruses residing within or around plants play a crucial role in enhancing their resilience to biotic and abiotic stressful factors. The impact of these interactions is not limited to stress resilience but are strictly correlated with the plant's life cycle. The recognition of specific effects on plant growth and resilience has driven research towards utilizing microorganisms as sustainable solutions for agricultural challenges. The application of selected microorganisms, combined with the development of SynCom consortia, marks the beginning of a promising strategy for achieving sustainability in agriculture. This chapter explores the hidden world of plant-associated microorganisms, emphasizing their diverse beneficial impacts and providing evidence to support their potential applications in modern agriculture.

Medicago sativa (alfalfa) is an important forage legume for livestock production in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions, yet its cultivation faces increasing challenges from soil degradation, salinization, and climate-induced aridity. Understanding how edaphic constraints versus plant compartment filtering structure its associated bacterial community across North African agroecosystems is essential for sustaining productivity. This study coupled 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing with soil physicochemical analysis across five Tunisian bioclimatic zones and three compartments (bulk soil, rhizosphere, roots) to identify edaphic drivers of community assembly and assess implications for nitrogen fixation. Community structure differed significantly among compartments and sites (PERMANOVA, p < 0.001). Constrained ordination identified soil organic matter, total nitrogen and texture as the variables most strongly associated with community variation, separating fertile clay-loams from organic-matter-poor sandy soils, with salinity and exchangeable cations forming a secondary stress axis. Critically, while phylogenetic analysis confirmed Sinorhizobium meliloti as the dominant symbiont in nodules from Korba, Kef and Kairouan, nodules were completely absent in the most saline and organic-matter-poor sites (Gabes and Oasis) despite detection of Ensifer-affiliated sequences in these soils. This decoupling of rhizobial presence from nodulation success suggests that edaphic thresholds can inhibit symbiosis establishment even when compatible microsymbionts are present. These findings identify soil organic matter and salinity management as key targets for improving symbiotic outcomes, shifting the focus from inoculation alone toward integrated soil amelioration to sustain alfalfa production in semi-arid environments.

Understanding gene expression at the cellular level is essential for dissecting plant-microbe interactions. Laser microdissection (LMD) is a powerful approach for isolating specific plant cell types without the need for molecular markers, enabling the recovery of nucleic acids from defined cellular populations. In plant systems, LMD has been widely applied to study cell-type-specific transcriptomes, including those involved in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, where cellular heterogeneity limits bulk tissue analyses. Recent evidence highlights the role of small RNAs (sRNAs) as key regulators of plant-microbe interactions, including cross-kingdom RNA interference. In this chapter, we describe a detailed LMD-based methodology for the co-extraction of sRNAs and mRNAs from AM-colonized root cells, enabling the characterization of plant and fungal sRNAs and the identification of their potential targets, thus providing a framework for studying cell-specific regulatory mechanisms in AM symbiosis.

Societal Impact Statement The increasing demand for sustainable food production requires innovative solutions that balance productivity, resource efficiency, and environmental impact. Vertical farming systems (VFSs) offer a promising approach; however, their high energy consumption remains challenging. Here, we explore the potential of integrating advanced photovoltaic technologies such as dye‐sensitized and perovskite solar cells to power energy‐efficient LED illumination systems in agrivoltaics. The optimization of LED spectral “recipes” to enhance plant growth and nutritional quality is introduced. Coordinated research bridging materials science, photobiology, and photophysics, along with targeted urban planning and policy support, can enable VFSs and agrivoltaics to enhance resilience in high‐density urban areas. Summary Climate change, urbanization, and population growth urgently require the development of innovative agricultural solutions to ensure sustainable food production. Vertical farming systems (VFSs) represent a promising solution to enhance crop productivity irrespective of seasonal variations, weather conditions, or geographical constraints, while simultaneously conserving water and minimizing the use of chemical inputs. By enabling precise control over environmental factors such as radiation spectra, temperature, and CO₂ concentrations, VFS can increase crop yields through local production and improve nutritional quality by enhancing the synthesis of secondary metabolites in plants. One of the primary challenges associated with VFS is the high energy demand required for plant lighting and temperature regulation. Light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) play a pivotal role in addressing this issue due to their energy efficiency and the ability to manipulate radiation spectra. The spectral quality of LED radiation can modulate distinct biological responses in plants, which may, in turn, lead to increased biomass production and enhanced biosynthesis of bioactive compounds with nutraceutical value. However, achieving energy sustainability in VFSs requires the integration of advanced photon‐to‐electron conversion technologies. Hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are among the most promising technologies for addressing the energy demands of VFS. These advanced solar cells efficiently harvest sunlight to power LEDs, thereby optimizing radiation quality for plant growth while reducing dependence on external energy sources. By coupling these renewable energy technologies with VFS, the overall sustainability and efficiency of food production systems can be significantly improved, contributing to the development of resilient agricultural practices in response to global challenges.

Over the past two decades, the occurrence of extreme climatic events in the Mediterranean region has increased, and this climatic pressure has contributed to the spread of vegetation dieback over several forest communities. Dieback has also affected Quercus ilex L., and since this decline has worsened over the last 15 years in many Mediterranean areas, it is crucial to develop effective tools for studying this phenomenon, combining different scales of measurement. Our study was conducted over four years (2019-2023) in declining (D) and non-declining (ND) Q. ilex stands in southern Tuscany (IT), assessing physiological and biochemical traits such as gas exchange, water relations, carbohydrate analysis in the wood, and xylem sap isotopic signal (δ18O). Dendrochronological and tree-ring δ13C analyses were combined to investigate the effects of previous droughts on tree growth and water-use efficiency.The results of physiological analyses showed that seasonality had a strong effect on these traits, with the main stress occurring during the summer of 2020, as evidenced by the lowest gas exchange values. According to the results of δ18O analyses, holm oaks mainly took up water from deep soil sources (bottom soil or groundwater) owing to their deep-root systems, resulting in only slightly different ring-width patterns and a low responsiveness to seasonal climatic variations in both stands. By contrast, the δ13C results combined with SSR genotyping revealed a more conservative water use of the population in the ND stand, underlying the potential of combining these powerful tools for the selection of seed-bearing genotypes putatively tolerant to water deficit.

Plants exposed to abiotic stresses undergo physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes and Raman spectroscopy, together with eco-physiological measurements, enables the in vivo detection of the stress impact on the plant responses. Apocarotenoids, i.e., carotenoid-derived metabolites, are signalling molecules known to contribute to plant drought tolerance. However, their impact on the rhizosphere- and root-associated microbial communities in natural conditions has been unraveled only for few apocarotenoids. Here, the effects of two cyclic (3-apocarotenoids, i.e., (3-cyclocitric acid ((3-CCA) and trimethylcyclohexanone (TCH), were investigated in tomato plants grown in pots filled with natural soil, both under well-watered and water stress conditions, combining gas exchange measurements using a porometer/fluorometer and Raman spectroscopy on leaves, evaluation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization in roots, and metabarcoding on rhizosphere soil. Results showed that (3-CCA significantly decreased the relative intensity of bands associated with carotenoid, carbohydrate, and pectin, and that both (3-CCA and TCH positively affected the native mycorrhizal status in terms of frequency of mycorrhization under well-watered conditions. In the rhizosphere, the considered molecules altered the microbial alpha diversity, modulating the abundance of plant growth promoting microorganisms. Overall, the results suggest that application of (3-CCA may serve as a promising strategy to improve plant resilience, changing the metabolism of some relevant leaf compounds and promoting beneficial root-microbe interactions.

The transition toward energy-sustainable greenhouses currently demands photovoltaic covers that can guarantee crop yield and quality by minimizing their interference with photosynthetically active radiation. Here, the impact of a novel semi-transparent dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) module, based on the BTD-DTP1 dye, was evaluated, considering the growth and molecular profile of radicchio plants (Cichorium intybus var. latifolium cv. Precoce). They were cultivated for 60 days under a customized-DSSC panel, clear glass, or without cover. Whole-transcriptome profiles were obtained through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and carotenoid and phenylpropanoid contents were analyzed. The customized-DSSC filtered light induced elongated stems and narrower leaves than the other conditions. RNA-seq data showed the upregulation of pathways associated with shade avoidance responses, including gibberellin and brassinosteroid signalling, cell-wall remodelling and nitrate transport, while photosynthesis-related ones and carotenoid biosynthesis were repressed. Consistently, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein and β-carotene levels decreased in plants grown under customized-DSSC. These changes resulted from the reduced light intensity and altered light spectrum transmitted by the panel, depleted in blue and enriched in far-red wavelengths. Overall, the DSSC panel triggered the reallocation of plant resources from the photosystems toward rapid elongation, with potential consequences for crop yield. The identified molecular markers may be useful for optimizing DSSC devices and hybrid lighting strategies aimed at limiting shade-avoidance while maintaining crop productivity in agrivoltaic systems.

Arbuscular common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) allow plants to exchange signals, enabling responses to biotic and abiotic stresses in neighboring individuals. However, no studies documenting the transmission of signals from virus-infected plants through CMNs have been published so far. The aim of this study was to investigate whether virus-free grapevine plants, connected via CMNs to grapevines infected with grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), exhibit physiological or molecular responses to the neighboring virus infection. A three-year greenhouse experiment was conducted, in which virus-free and virus-infected grapevines were either connected or not via CMN. Five and fifteen months after AMF inoculation, we assessed oxidative stress markers, antioxidative enzyme activities, hormonal profiles, photosynthetic performance, pigment concentrations, growth parameters, and leaf nutrient content. In addition, expression levels of nine selected genes were measured at the second sampling. The virus-free receiver plants showed elevated levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and its derivate, phaseic acid (PA), as well as increased leaf magnesium concentrations, indicating a physiological response to the neighboring infection. The presence of CMN also influenced physiological traits in donor plants, particularly in ABA metabolism, antioxidant activity of ascorbate peroxidase, and leaf magnesium content, depending on their virus infection status. These findings provide novel evidence that grapevine plants can perceive viral stress in neighbouring plants through CMN connections, and highlight the important role of ABA signalling in these interactions. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of plant communication and stress perception, with potential implications for managing viral diseases in perennial crops.

Agrivoltaics, integrating photovoltaic systems with crop cultivation, demands semitransparent solar modules to mitigate soil shadowing. Perovskite Solar Cells (PSC) offer competitive efficiency, low fabrication costs, and high solar transmittance, making them suitable for agrivoltaic applications. However, the impact of PSC light filtering on plant growth and transcriptomics remains underexplored. This study investigates the viability and agronomic implications of the growth of radicchio seedlings (Cichorium intybus var. latifolium) in laboratory-scale greenhouses integrating Perovskites-coated rooftops. Eu-enriched CsPbI3 layers are chosen to provide semi-transparency and phase stability while radicchio has limited size and grows in pots. Despite the reduced light exposure, radicchio seedlings exhibit faster growth and larger leaves than in the reference, benefiting from specific spectral filtering. RNA-sequencing reveals differential gene expression patterns reflecting adaptive responses to environmental changes. Simulations of full PSC integration demonstrate a positive energy balance in greenhouses to cover annual energy needs for lighting, irrigation, and air conditioning. Stable and efficient semi-transparent perovskite solar cells are essential for the development of agrivoltaics. Here, authors analyze the differential gene expression patterns of radicchio seedlings grown in a lab-scale greenhouse and simulate annual performance of photovoltaic rooftops.

In Mediterranean agroecosystems, pea (Pisum sativum L.) is one important crop due to its nutritional benefits and high protein content. However, soil nutrient availability and soil health are known to affect pea productivity, especially under arid and semi-arid conditions. Currently, the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) may represent a bio-based tool to improve pea productivity in drought-affected areas. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge on how PGPB inoculations in field could impact native communities of bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in these areas. Here, a two-year field study in Tunisia was established to evaluate the effects of inoculating two pea varieties with three strains of potential PGPB, including Rhizobium laguerreae and two strains of Erwinia sp., on agronomic performance and soil microbial communities. Inoculations improved productivity and all measured biometric parameters, with the treatment including a consortia of the three strains showing the highest benefits. Metabarcoding analysis showed an increased bacterial and AM fungal diversity in soil of inoculated plants. Additionally, specific AMF-bacterial associations were identified, suggesting a synergistic role in enhancing soil health and pea growth. Overall, this study highlights the potential of targeted bacterial inoculations to improve pea performance under semi-arid environments by exploiting beneficial plant-microbe interactions. These results support the use of microbial inoculants as a sustainable agricultural practice in semi-arid areas, also improving the understanding of their impact on native bacterial and AM fungal communities.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are vital for enhancing plant growth, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture, also addressing food security challenges. The plant growth-promoting (PGP) potential of ten bacterial strains, isolated from a cultivated field in southern Italy, was characterized with biochemical and molecular analyses and plant growth-promoting activity was tested on two durum wheat varieties (RGT Aventadur and Farah) and a lentil one (Altamura Lentil) under semi-controlled conditions. The isolated strains were classified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results showed that they belonged to Pseudomonaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Bacillaceae and Micrococcaceae families. They exhibited typical features of PGPB, such as inorganic phosphate solubilization, production of indole acetic acid, ammonia, and biofilm formation. Bacterial inoculation of wheat plants led to the identification of potentially interesting strains that positively affected biometric parameters (i.e., shoot height, tiller number and spike weight) in a genotype-dependent way. The contrasting effect of some bacterial strains on the two wheat genotypes supports the necessity to accurately formulate synthetic microbial consortia characterized by long-term PGP traits, taking into account that the application under field conditions might also be influenced by native soil microbiota.

Like other plant-microbe symbioses, the establishment of orchid mycorrhiza (ORM) is likely to require specific communication and metabolic adjustments between the two partners. However, while modulation of plant and fungal metabolism has been investigated in fully established mycorrhizal tissues, the molecular changes occurring during the pre-symbiotic stages of the interaction remain largely unexplored in ORM. In this study, we investigated the pre-symbiotic responses of the ORM fungus Tulasnella sp. SV6 to plantlets of the orchid host Serapias vomeracea in a dual in vitro cultivation system. The fungal mycelium was harvested prior to physical contact with the orchid roots and the fungal transcriptome and metabolome were analyzed using RNA-seq and untargeted metabolomics approaches. The results revealed distinct transcriptomic and metabolomic remodelling of the ORM fungus in the presence of orchid plantlets, as compared to the free-living condition. The ORM fungus responds to the presence of the host plant with a significant up-regulation of genes associated with protein synthesis, amino acid and lipid biosynthesis, indicating increased metabolic activity. Metabolomic analysis supported the RNA-seq data, showing increased levels of amino acids and phospholipids, suggesting a remodelling of cell structure and signalling during the pre-symbiotic interaction. In addition, we identified an increase of transcripts of a small secreted protein that may play a role in early symbiotic signalling. Taken together, our results suggest that Tulasnella sp. SV6 may perceive information from orchid roots, leading to a readjustment of its transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles.

Pot size is a critical factor in plant growth experiments, influencing root architecture, nutrient uptake, and overall plant development as well as sensing of stress. In controlled environments, variation in pot size can impact phenotypic and molecular outcomes and may bias experimental results. Here, we investigated how pot size affects the root system architecture and molecular responses of two barley genotypes, the landrace BERE and the modern elite CONCERTO, through assessment of shoot and root traits and by using X-ray computed tomography complemented by transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. The two genotypes showed distinctly different adaptations to changes in pot size. The landrace showed greater stability and adaptability with consistent root traits and enhanced accumulation of osmoprotectant metabolites across different pot sizes with respect to CONCERTO. Conversely, the elite line was more sensitive to pot size variations, particularly showing altered root architecture and transcriptomic responses. Overall, this study highlights the importance of selecting an appropriate pot size for plant growth experiments, particularly when focused on root traits, and highlights the importance of considering the physiological and molecular changes due to growth environment choice in experimental design in barley.

Apocarotenoids are metabolites derived from the oxidative breakdown of carotenoids and are known to modulate molecular and biochemical responses that help plants overcome the adverse effects of abiotic stresses. Particularly, β-cyclocitric acid (β-CCA), a derivative of β-carotene, enhances plant tolerance to drought conditions. However, there is currently rare information regarding the impact of β-CCA on the interaction with root-associated microorganisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenous β-CCA (1.15 mmol · L-1) on mycorrhizal colonization of tomato roots and on the plant responses to water deficit conditions, using an RNA-seq approach performed on both root and shoot samples. We found that β-CCA negatively influenced the regulation of genes related to root growth, while acting as a priming agent in well-watered conditions by activating genes encoding scavenging enzymes. Under stress conditions, β-CCA positively affected the mycorrhizal status in terms of frequency of mycorrhization. The expression of genes involved in pathways related to ethylene, abscisic acid, and reactive oxygen species in mycorrhizal plants contributed to enhanced drought tolerance. In conclusion, β-CCA can be considered a putative priming agent for increasing plant stress resilience in agricultural applications in open fields, without disrupting beneficial organisms in symbiosis with roots. However, targeted fungal analyses and the use of different fungal partners are necessary to validate the findings from the fungal side. Additionally, it would be interesting to assess the impact of the apocarotenoids on soil native microbial communities.

Modern agriculture faces the dual challenge of increasing food production while reducing environmental impact, especially in the context of climate change. One promising solution lies in harnessing the natural relationships between plants and beneficial microbes. These interactions can help crops use resources more efficiently, become more resistant to stress, and reduce the need for chemical treatments. This review focuses on grapevine and rice, two globally important crops, as examples to highlight how root-associated microbes can support more sustainable farming. Thanks to recent advances in DNA sequencing and microbial research, scientists are now able to design specific microbial mixtures, known as synthetic communities (SynComs), tailored to improve plant health. However, key challenges remain, such as selecting the right microbes, ensuring their stability, and applying them effectively in the field. At the same time, breeding crop varieties that are more responsive to helpful microbes is becoming increasingly important. The Micro4Life project, funded by AGER, explores these topics by studying how crops and their microbiomes interact under different environmental conditions. It also promotes field-based research and continuous dialogue with farmers to ensure that scientific advances address real-world needs and constraints. This approach not only opens new opportunities to make agriculture more resilient and environmentally friendly but also delivers economic benefits—such as improved productivity and efficiency—and strengthens the resilience of farming communities by empowering local stakeholders and integrating traditional knowledge.