Biotic and abiotic factors have a negative influence on plants and plant quality. The microbiota of the plant’s rhizosphere and endosphere indirectly increase the plant’s tolerance to these factors by stimulating the plant’s stress tolerance response, secreting antipathogenic compounds and sanitising the soil. One of the stress factors, soil salinity, causes a loss of 27 billion litres of soil water. Salinity stress contributes to 27 billion USD in yield losses per year. Increased salinity reduces the ability of plants to absorb water. A similar effect on plant cellular and metabolic processes can be observed during drought. The limited availability of nutrients under drought conditions has a negative effect on the development and growth of plants and causes oxidative stress.
Biotic stressors, such as pests and pathogens, are responsible for 20-30% of global crop losses. Diseases caused by fungal microorganisms in the soil are difficult to control due to inadequate crop rotation and the ability of pathogens to form resistant survival structures. Fungal pathogens colonise the plant and restrict water transport to the upper part of the plant. Current agricultural practises, characterised by a high use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, do not solve the problems in the long term and new sustainable strategies for plant protection and growth promotion are needed. This work will investigate the microorganisms that influence the stress tolerance of plants, the changes in their diversity to adapt and survive under extreme conditions, the identification of their genetic resources and their functional properties. The identified potential microorganisms that improve the adaptation of plants to changing climatic conditions and promote growth will be used to develop new microbiological products and will contribute significantly to the development of targeted and effective strategies for agriculture.