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.
Balestrini et al. (2026) studied this question.