Seed Microbiota as an Untapped Resource for Enhancing Plant Growth and Resilience in a Changing Climate

Abstract

SEEDS are not isolated entities devoid of life but rather dynamic reservoirs teeming with a plethora of microbial communities that are transmitted vertically through successive generations of plants. This seed-associated microbiota, which encompasses bacteria, fungi, and various endophytes, plays a pivotal yet inadequately investigated role in modulating processes such as germination, nutrient acquisition, growth, and defensive responses. In the face of climate change-characterized by elevated temperatures, unpredictable precipitation patterns, and heightened biotic and abiotic challenges-the capacity to exploit seed-associated microorganisms presents a sustainable and robust approach to agricultural practices. In contrast to inoculants derived from soil or the rhizosphere, seed microbiota are uniquely tailored to the host organism and offer an inherent mechanism for the prompt colonization and establishment of advantageous plant-microbe interactions. This review elucidates the current understanding of the composition, assembly, and functional attributes of microbial communities associated with seeds, underscoring their potential to enhance stress resilience, disease resistance, and overall crop yield. We examine advancements in CRISPR approaches, the design of synthetic communities, and the engineering of microbiomes that are facilitating the application of seed microbiota research within agricultural frameworks. Lastly, we delineate the conservation and future perspective to harness the potential of seed microbiota as natural bioinoculants for farming systems designed to withstand the effects of climate change.