Abstract
The plant-associated microbial community (microbiome) has an important
role in plant–plant communications. Plants decipher their complex
habitat situations by sensing the environmental stimuli and molecular
patterns and associated with microbes, herbivores, and dangers.
Perception of these cues generates inter/intracellular signals that
induce modifications of plant metabolism and physiology. Signals can
also be transferred between plants via different mechanisms, which we
classify as wired- and wireless communications. Wired communications
involve direct signal transfers between plants mediated by mycorrhizal
hyphae and parasitic plant stems. Wireless communications involve plant
volatile emissions and root exudates elicited by microbes/insects, which
enable inter-plant signaling without physical contact. These
producer-plant signals induce microbiome adaptation in receiver plants
via a facilitative or competitive mechanisms. Receiver plants eavesdrop
to anticipate responses to improve fitness against stresses. An emerging
body of information in plant–plant communication can be leveraged to
improve integrated crop management under field conditions.
KEYWORDS: dodder, herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs),
holobiont, microbiome adaptation, microbe-induced plant volatiles
(MIPVs), mycorrhiza