Microbiome Engineering for Next‐Generation Precision Agriculture

TL;DR: In this article , the authors describe the potential of plant microbiome engineering for precision agriculture, the policy boost, and the multi-party synergy needed to fully realize this potential, and conclude with the perspectives on the future potential of microbiome engineering.

Abstract: This chapter describes microbiome engineering from the systems approach on how a well-rounded and holistic approach can increase the chances of success in the field. It also describes methods such as the increasingly popular “design–build–test–learn” for rational engineering of microbiomes, and introduces tools for deeper understanding of the phytobiomes using the richomics data. The chapter includes discussion on the developments of genetic and genome engineering of phytobiomes. In addition to the systems approach to microbiome engineering, synthetic biology based on genome/genetic engineering offers many advantages in plant microbiome engineering for sustainable agriculture. Genome and genetic engineering using synthetic biology will allow researchers to precisely design microbiomes that can improve crop productivity and yield, through engineered functions such as biocontrol, biofertilization, and biostimulation. It concludes with the perspectives on the future potential of microbiome engineering for precision agriculture, the policy boost, and the multi-party synergy needed to fully realize this potential.