Coming of age for Microbiome gene breeding in plants

The plant microbiota can complement host functioning, leading to improved growth and health under unfavorable conditions. Microbiome engineering could therefore become a transformative technique for crop production. Microbiome genes, abbreviated as M genes, provide valuable targets for shaping plant-associated microbial communities. Plant genotype is a major driver of the structure and function of plant-associated microbial communities. In this Perspective, the author discusses targeted microbiome engineering through identification and selection of Microbiome genes within crops genomes.