Decoding and Engineering the Phytobiome Communication for Smart Agriculture

Doğan Ergün*, Merve Elçiçek, Syed Javid Ahmad Andrabi and Ayşegül Esra Gölcü

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The phytobiome, encompassing the complex network of interactions between plants, microorganisms, insects, and their surrounding environment, represents one of the most sophisticated biological communication systems in nature. Understanding and engineering these communication pathways holds immense potential for revolutionizing agricultural practices through precision farming, enhanced crop resilience, and sustainable production systems. This review examines current advances in decoding phytobiome communication mechanisms, including chemical signaling, microbial metabolite exchange, root exudate networks, and plant-microbe interactions. We analyze emerging technologies for monitoring and manipulating these communication systems, including biosensors, synthetic biology approaches, and digital agriculture platforms. The integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT technologies is enabling real-time monitoring and predictive modeling of phytobiome interactions, facilitating the development of smart agricultural systems that can respond dynamically to crop needs. Current research demonstrates successful engineering of beneficial plant-microbe interactions that enhance nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and disease resistance, with yield improvements of 15-30% reported in field trials. However, challenges remain in scaling these approaches, understanding complex multi-species interactions, and developing robust delivery systems for engineered microorganisms. This review synthesizes current knowledge and identifies key research directions for harnessing phytobiome communication to address global food security challenges while promoting environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Phytobiome, plant-microbe interactions, chemical signaling, synthetic biology, smart agriculture, precision farming.