Plants possess an innate ability to recognize and sense potential invading microorganisms and to activate their defense responses. The plant’s defense systems are built upon a symbiosis relationship with the plant host, where beneficial microbes evolve to minimize stimulation of their host’s immune system. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of microorganisms to grow or persist in the presence of drugs designed to kill or inhibit them. These antimicrobial drugs are used to treat infectious protozoan parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
A plant’s immune response induces microbial effector-triggered immunity. They develop immune memory exposure to pathogens leading to systems-acquired resistance. Plants interact with beneficial microbes for boosting their immune system. Antimicrobial-resistant plants cause plants to become harmful to other plants and to humans.
Antimicrobial resistance can jeopardize food security, damage livelihoods and cause production losses. To sustain an important sector such as Agriculture, food security is imperative. One effective and sustainable approach to plant disease management in the case of antimicrobial resistance is manipulating the natural defense mechanisms in host plants. Additionally, metabolic enzymes to cell wall components can provide resistance to hosts against pathogens, termed induced resistance.
Globally, many countries are looking for sustainable ways to protect plants against antimicrobial resistance. Plants are a key to human survival, and it is up to us to safeguard our plant health for the sake of future generations.
Read more from the sources below!
Source:
FAO – Antimicrobial Resistance
National Library of Medicine – Modulation of Plant Defense System in Response to Microbial Interactions
Springer Link – How do plants defend themselves against pathogens – Biochemical mechanisms and genetic interventions
MDPI – Induced Systemic Resistance for Improving Plant Immunity by Beneficial Microbes
