Plant-Friendly Microorganisms as a Bio-Barrier Against Pathogens

Plants constantly interact with complex microbial communities that influence their health, productivity, and resilience to biotic and abiotic stress. This Research Topic compiles some recent advances in understanding how beneficial microorganisms (bacteria and fungi)—primarily those associated with seeds, the rhizosphere, and phyllosphere—function as biological barriers against plant pathogens. These pathogens include the soil-borne fungal agents, Magnaporthiopsis maydis, Dematophora necatrix, Sclerotium rolfsii, and the foliar pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Also, biocontrol of the arthropod insect pests was reviewed. The collection highlights molecular mechanisms, ecological dynamics, and promising applications of plant-friendly microbes in sustainable agriculture. Here, we summarize the key findings, thematic trends, and future research directions emerging from this collection.