Unveiling the Adaptation Mechanisms of Symbiotic Microbial Communities in Glycyrrhiza glabra Under Extreme Environmental Conditions

Glycyrrhiza glabra is a medicinal legume species that is adapted to arid and saline environments, as well as climate stressors such as drought, salinity and extreme heat. This review highlights the latest developments in understanding the microbial communities associated with G. glabra, which enhance stress tolerance through nutrient acquisition, phytohormone modification, the production of antioxidants and osmotic regulation. This review synthesizes research on the distribution, diversity, and functionality of these microbial communities including endophytes, rhizobacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi within the ecological context of degraded and marginal soils, which functionally enhances G. glabra as a model plant for studying plant-microbial interactions in extreme environments. We specifically highlight the microbial regulation of glycyrrhizin biosynthesis, a critical defense-related secondary metabolite with known therapeutic applications. Finally, we present an overview of new and emerging multi-omics tools that elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning these beneficial microbial interactions, and their potential in developing bio-inoculants for climate-resilient agriculture and providing a blueprint for harnessing native microbial partnerships to enhance plant survival, productivity, and soil restoration under climate uncertainty.