Plant–Nematode–Microbiome Networks in Sustainable Biological Control

The study of plant–nematode–microbiome networks is at the forefront of research in sustainable agriculture and biological control. Plant-parasitic nematodes remain a significant challenge to global food production, causing considerable yield losses and threatening crop security. Traditional reliance on chemical nematicides is now limited due to escalating concerns about environmental impacts, human health, and tightening regulations. Recent advances in microbiome and holobiont research have revolutionized our comprehension of plant health, shifting the narrative from a simple plant–nematode antagonism to a dynamic, multi-organism network where plants, bacteria, fungi, protists, and other soil organisms interact. Studies have begun to unravel how soil microbial communities self-organize, influence nematode populations, trigger plant immune responses, and ultimately mediate the suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes as an emergent system property. However, substantial knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding the mechanisms of interaction, the stability and assembly of beneficial networks, and their translation to field-level, agronomic outcomes.This Research Topic aims to bridge these gaps by integrating ecological, molecular, and functional approaches to decipher the complex networks at play within plant–nematode–microbiome interactions. We seek to answer fundamental questions on how microbial community dynamics shape nematode behavior, modulate plant defense mechanisms, and generate disease-suppressive environments. A central objective is to identify generalizable principles and actionable strategies that underpin robust, resilient, and sustainable biological control solutions. By fostering interdisciplinary and integrative studies, we aim to accelerate the translation of mechanistic insights across biological scales—ranging from genes and metabolites to entire agroecosystems—into practical tools for microbiome-based management of nematode pests.This Research Topic is primarily limited to interactions among plants, plant-parasitic nematodes, and associated microbiomes in the context of biological control and sustainable crop management. Studies must focus on the integration of ecological, molecular, or systems perspectives to develop holistic, network-driven solutions. To gather further insights in these areas, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Microbial community assembly processes and ecological network properties linked to nematode suppression• Molecular, biochemical, and metabolic mechanisms of plant–microbe–nematode crosstalk• Functional roles of bacteria, fungi, protists, and other soil organisms in the plant holobiont• Multi-omics, systems biology, and ecological network methodologies applied to plant–nematode–microbiome systems• Influence of plant genotype, soil management, and environmental parameters on beneficial microbiome function• Translational studies linking fundamental mechanisms to agronomic and ecosystem outcomesWe welcome submissions of the following article types: Brief Research Report, Correction, Editorial, FAIR² DATA Direct Submission, FAIR² Data, Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Systematic Review. Topic editors: Holger Heuer, Maria L. Inácio, Claudia SL Vicente, Carlos Gutiérrez Gutiérrez Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78426/plant-nematode-microbiome-networks-in-sustainable-biological-control