Interactive relations between plants, the phyllosphere microbial community, and particulate matter pollution

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) pollution poses a significant risk to many ecosystems; as sessile organisms, plants are at particular risk from PM pollution since they cannot move away from it. Microorganisms are essential components of ecosystems that can help macro-organisms to cope with pollutants (such as PM). In the phyllosphere (the aerial/above-ground parts of plants colonized by microbial communities), plant-microbe associations have been found to promote plant development while also increasing host resilience to biotic and abiotic stressors. This review discusses how plant-microbe symbiosis in the phyllosphere potentially affects host survivability and efficiency in the face of pollution and factors such as climate change. Evidence is presented that plant-microbe associations can be beneficial, such as by degrading pollutants, yet also bring disadvantages, such as causing the loss of symbiotic organisms and/or inducing disease. It is suggested that plant genetics is a fundamental driver of the phyllosphere microbiome assembly, connecting phyllosphere microbiota to plant health management in adverse conditions. Finally, potential ways that essential community ecological processes might influence plant-microbe partnerships in the face of Anthropocene-linked changes and what this might mean for environmental management are discussed.

Keywords: Particulate matter; Phyllosphere microbial community; Plant; Plant-microbe associations.