Plant secondary metabolites altering root microbiome composition and function

Plants share their natural environment with numerous microorganisms, commensal as well as harmful. Plant fitness and performance are thus dependent on an efficient communication with such microbiota. The primary means of communication are metabolites exuded from roots, primarily diverse secondary metabolites. The exuded metabolites trigger changes in composition and function of plant associated microbiome. In the last few years, many metabolites were uncovered that are part of this communication network and modulate specific functions of the root microbiota. Here, we describe the progress in identification of such metabolites and their functions and outline the most significant knowledge gaps for future research.

Automated summary

Plants communicate with microorganisms through metabolites exuded from roots, which play a crucial role in modulating the functions of plant associated microbiota. Recent research has identified various metabolites involved in this communication network, but there are still significant knowledge gaps to be filled in future studies.