{
  "abstract": "Background and aims Climate change-induced abiotic stresses, particularly drought and salinity, severely constrain global agricultural productivity. While natural plant-microbe interactions enhance stress tolerance, their efficacy is often inconsistent under extreme conditions. Synthetic symbiosis—engineering rhizosphere microbiomes and plant-microbe interfaces—presents a theoretical framework and future approach to bypass these limitations. This review aims to synthesize recent advancements in rationally designing next-generation, engineered plant-microbe interactions for sustained drought and salinity resilience. Methods We critically evaluated recent peer-reviewed literature focusing on the genetic engineering of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), synthetic microbial consortia (SynComs), and biosensor-driven root-microbe communication. The review structures the molecular mechanisms, genetic circuits, and spatial niche-partitioning strategies currently utilized in modern agricultural synthetic biology. Results Engineered symbioses mitigate abiotic stress through three primary molecular pathways: (1) modifying root architecture via targeted microbial auxin overproduction; (2) inducing osmotic adjustment and delaying senescence through engineered microbial trehalose synthesis and ACC deaminase activity; and (3) activating antioxidant defenses via reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. Furthermore, we highlight the critical transition from single-strain inoculants to multi-level SynComs. These engineered consortia utilize inter-species quorum sensing and plant-controlled genetic circuits (e.g., root exudate-responsive promoters) to ensure functional complementarity, ecological stability, and targeted, stress-responsive gene expression within the rhizosphere. Conclusion While still in its experimental infancy, the pursuit of synthetic symbiosis represents a potential paradigm shift in agricultural biotechnology, driving the evolution from natural inoculants toward rationally designed micro-ecosystems. Successful translation from lab-scale assemblies to field applications requires overcoming formulation challenges and navigating biosafety regulations, ultimately holding immense potential for securing crop yields in deteriorating environments.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Botany, Dayalbagh Educational Institute"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Vikas"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ea2thqbjej2yy.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1007/s44372-026-00998-y",
  "fulltext_url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-026-00998-y",
  "id": "ea2thqbjej2yy",
  "issns": [
    "3005-1207"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-026-00998-y",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "QK1-989"
    ],
    [
      "lcc",
      "SB1-1110"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1110|Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7225084138",
  "pdf_url": "https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s44372-026-00998-y.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-08",
  "publisher": "Springer Nature",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ea2thqbjej2yy.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-08T14:20:59Z",
      "native_id": "062d636b0f5a4487a3a8cf3f311200e4",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-026-00998-y"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:1110|Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity",
      "subfield": "plant-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Engineering synthetic plant microbiome symbioses for drought and salinity resilience",
  "title_text": "Engineering synthetic plant microbiome symbioses for drought and salinity resilience",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T14:20:59Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ea2thqbjej2yy",
  "venue": "Discover Plants",
  "versions": []
}