Interaction of Symbiotic Rhizobia and Parasitic Root-Knot Nematodes in Legume Roots: From Molecular Regulation to Field Application

Legumes form two types of root organs in response to signals from microbes, namely, nodules and galls. In the field, these interactions occur concurrently often interact with each other. The outcomes vary can depend on natural variation rhizobia nematode populations soil as well abiotic conditions. While are symbionts that contribute fixed nitrogen their hosts, parasitic root-knot nematodes (RKN) cause galls feeding structures consume plant resources without a contribution plant. Yet, share similarities, including rhizosphere signaling, repression host defense responses, activation cell division, differentiation, nutrient exchange, alteration architecture. Rhizobia activate changes development through Nod factor additional functions effector proteins exopolysaccharides. RKN inject large numbers protein effectors into cells directly suppress immune signaling manipulate developmental pathways. This review examines molecular control legume elucidate shared distinct mechanisms root-microbe interactions. Many pathways targeted by both organisms overlap, yet recent discoveries have singled out differences spatial expression regulators may enabled cortical division during nodulation legumes. interaction legumes parasites highlights importance comprehensive view for future crop management breeding strategies. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 Author(s). is an open access article distributed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .