Summary
This narrative review examines how human–crop co-evolution has reshaped beneficial ecological interactions within agroecosystems, particularly between crops and their microbial partners. Domestication and modern breeding have generally reduced benefits from niche partitioning and facilitation through decreased diversity, mass selection, and increased chemical inputs that have relaxed selection for nutrient-mobilising traits. The authors propose that agroecological practices and strategic crop breeding can deliberately restore these interactions by mobilising genetic and ecological diversity.
UK applicability
The findings are applicable to UK agriculture, where cereals and mixed cropping dominate and intensive breeding has long prioritised yield. UK farming policy increasingly supports agroecological transitions and soil health; this review provides a mechanistic framework for understanding how crop breeding and diversity management can restore beneficial microbe interactions relevant to UK soil and plant health targets.
Key measures
Qualitative assessment of molecular and functional diversity in agroecosystems; trends in plant–plant and plant–microbe interaction benefits; selection pressures on root exudation and nutrient-exchange traits
Outcomes reported
The narrative review synthesised evidence on how domestication and modern breeding have reduced beneficial crop–microbe interactions through decreased diversity, mass selection, and chemical inputs that relax selection for nutrient-mobilising traits. The authors identified mechanisms (niche partitioning, facilitation, kin selection) and proposed breeding and agroecological strategies to restore these interactions.
Topic tags
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