Plants recruit specific microorganisms to live inside and outside their roots that provide essential functions for plant growth and health. The study of the microbial communities living in close association with plants helps in understanding the mechanisms involved in these beneficial interactions. Currently, most of the research in this field has been focusing on the description of the taxonomic composition of the microbiome. Therefore, a focus on the plant-associated microbiome functions is pivotal for the development of novel agricultural practices which, in turn, will increase plant fitness. Recent advances in microbiome research using model plant species started to shed light on the functions of specific microorganisms and the underlying mechanisms of plant–microbial interaction. Here, we review (1) microbiome-mediated functions associated with plant growth and protection, (2) insights from native and agricultural habitats that can be used to improve soil health and crop productivity, (3) current -omics and new approaches for studying the plant microbiome, and (4) challenges and future perspectives for exploiting the plant microbiome for beneficial outcomes. We posit that integrated approaches will help in translating fundamental knowledge into agricultural practices.

中文翻译：

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超越植物微生物组组成：通过综合方法利用微生物功能和植物性状

植物招募特定的微生物生活在其根内外，为植物的生长和健康提供必要的功能。研究与植物密切相关的微生物群落有助于了解这些有益相互作用所涉及的机制。目前，该领域的大部分研究都集中在微生物组的分类组成的描述上。因此，关注与植物相关的微生物组功能对于开发新的农业实践至关重要，这反过来又会增加植物的适应性。使用模式植物物种进行微生物组研究的最新进展开始阐明特定微生物的功能以及植物与微生物相互作用的潜在机制。这里，我们回顾了 (1) 与植物生长和保护相关的微生物组介导的功能，(2) 来自可用于改善土壤健康和作物生产力的原生和农业栖息地的见解，(3) 研究植物的当前组学和新方法微生物组，以及（4）利用植物微生物组获得有益结果的挑战和未来前景。我们认为综合方法将有助于将基础知识转化为农业实践。