Role of Microorganisms and Their Metabolites in Agriculture, Food and the Environment

Microorganisms and their metabolites play essential roles in soil fertility, plant health, food quality, and environmental sustainability. This Reprint highlights recent advances enabled by molecular and omics technologies that deepen our understanding of microbial functions and their practical applications.The collected in Reprint articles showcase microbial consortia capable of degrading pesticides and plastics, the influence of soil microbiomes in agroforestry and biochar-amended systems, and inoculants that support plant growth under stress. Additional contributions examine bacteriophages as tools for food biocontrol, microbial enzymes driving flavor development, and mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity.Together, these studies emphasize the central role of microbial research in shaping sustainable agricultural practices, improving food safety and quality, and advancing environmental protection.