Impact of Climate Change on Plant-Microbe Interactions

Abstract

Indiscriminate human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation etc. increased the level of various greenhouse gases like CO₂ in the atmosphere and ultimately resulted in global warming. Increased atmospheric temperature is the major reason for climate change and extreme weather conditions. It has affected all the living organisms on earth and microorganisms are not an exception for it. Elevated CO₂ level, temperature, frequent drought and low precipitation have affected the microbial population and its interaction with the host plant. Beneficial microorganisms like plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and endophytes etc. became less efficient in case of their growth promoting and biocontrol ability. It also increased the spread and severity of various plant pathogens and also led to the emergence of new virulent mutants. All these affected agriculture and production system extensively. Mitigating the climatic stress in crops using various microorganisms from extreme habitat and exploiting their inherent capacity to survive in extreme conditions to provide the crops enhanced stress tolerance is a solution for sustainable agriculture and crop production.