The invention relates to methods for the screening, identification and/or application of microorganisms of use in imparting beneficial properties to plants. In one embodiment, the method involves: a) identifying one or more plant genetic markers associated with one or more beneficial property； b) subjecting one or more plant (including for example seeds, seedlings, cuttings, and/or propagules thereof) to a growth medium in the presence of a first set of one or more microorganisms； c) selecting one or more plant following step b) on the basis that the one or more plant genetic markers is present and/or the marker has a particular expression level； d) acquiring a second set of one or more microorganisms associated with said one or more plant selected in step c)； e) repeating steps a) to d) and/or steps b) to d) one or more times, wherein the second set of one or more microorganisms acquired in step d) is used as the first set of microorganisms in step b) of any successive repeat.
