Proteomic analysis reveals how pairing of a Mycorrhizal fungus with plant <scp>growth‐promoting</scp> bacteria modulates growth and defense in wheat

Plants rely on their microbiota for improving the nutritional status and environmental stress tolerance. Previous studies mainly focused bipartite interactions (a plant challenged by a single microbe), while responses to multiple microbes have received limited attention. Here, we investigated local systemic changes induced in wheat two growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), Azospirillum brasilense Paraburkholderia graminis, either alone or together with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF). We conducted phenotypic, proteomic, biochemical analyses investigate (wheat–PGPB) tripartite (wheat–PGPB–AMF) interactions, also upon leaf pathogen infection. Results revealed that only AMF A. promoted growth activating photosynthesis N assimilation which led increased glucose amino acid content. The bioprotective effect of PGPB–AMF infected plants depended PGPB-AMF combinations, caused specific phenotypic proteomic (elicitation defense related proteins, immune response jasmonic biosynthesis). In whole, strongly inoculum composition (single vs. microbes) organs (roots leaf). Our findings showed is best-performing microbe, suggesting its presence as crucial one synthetic microbial community development.