Genomics of plant-associated microbes

Plant-associated microbes and plant–microbe interactions can be largely divided in two types: detrimental (pathogenic) and beneficial (symbiotic) interactions. Neutral interactions also occur; this is the case for microbes that live in the rhizosphere (on roots) or phyllosphere (on leaves) without triggering any apparent plant response. Both pathogenic and symbiotic interactions are of relevance to industry because these may impact plant production in negative and positive ways respectively. Several plant-associated microbes produce cell wall-degrading enzymes which may be of industrial use in fermentation of plant products. Here we give a brief update of the current status of genome sequencing and genomics of microbes associated with plants.