Chemical Conversations: Metabolite Exchange and Physiological Adaptations in Plant-Microbe Interactions

Plants interact with a vast array of microorganisms that shape their growth, nutrient uptake, and defense mechanisms through a complex web of chemical communication. This field of research has increasingly underscored the pivotal role of metabolite exchange—ranging from phytohormones and flavonoids to diverse microbial secondary metabolites—in orchestrating symbiosis, triggering immune responses, and influencing the broader soil microbiome. Recent advances in metabolomics, molecular biology, and systems ecology have revealed these metabolite exchanges as dynamic and context-dependent, responding rapidly to environmental cues. Despite these advancements, significant knowledge gaps persist regarding how specific metabolites function as shared signals, how plants and microbes coordinate adaptive physiological changes, and how this chemical dialogue influences the outcome of beneficial or antagonistic interactions. Ongoing debates focus on the mechanisms and evolutionary origins of these communications, the bidirectionality of signaling, and the full spectrum of metabolites involved, highlighting an urgent need for integrated research approaches.This Research Topic aims to clarify the roles of metabolite exchange and adaptive physiological responses in plant–microbe interactions, with a focus on identifying and characterizing the natural compounds, signaling pathways, and molecular mechanisms underpinning this communication. The overarching objective is to integrate insights from biochemistry, molecular plant pathology, and microbial ecology to unravel how chemical signals mediate cross-talk and drive physiological adaptations. Central questions include: Which metabolites serve as crucial mediators in these interactions? How are metabolic and signaling networks reconfigured during symbiosis or defense? And in what ways do environmental changes alter the trajectory and outcome of these inter-kingdom communications?The scope of this Research Topic is centered on original research, reviews, and perspectives that dissect the metabolite exchanges and physiological adaptations underlying plant–microbe interactions. The boundaries of this topic include studies on both beneficial and pathogenic relationships, with an emphasis on chemical signaling, metabolic adjustment, and environmental modulation of these processes. To further this understanding, we welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Identification and functional analysis of novel natural products and secondary metabolites in plant–microbe cross-talk• Mechanisms of signal perception and transmission at the plant–microbe interface• Reciprocal adjustments in plant and microbial metabolic networks during interaction• Impact of environmental factors (abiotic and biotic) on metabolic dialogue• Multi-omics approaches revealing system-wide changes and adaptive responses• Applications of metabolic interactions in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology Topic editors: Kashif Shamim, Sadiya Shaikh, Dr Pankaj Kumar, Jin Zhang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77221/chemical-conversations-metabolite-exchange-and-physiological-adaptations-in-plant-microbe-interactions