review · International Journal of Microbiology
Conventional agriculture relies heavily on chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which cause environmental problems, health issues, and the development of resistant pests and pathogens. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria offer a sustainable alternative by acting as both biofertilisers and biocontrol agents. These bacteria directly improve plant development by producing phytohormones and facilitating nutrient uptake, including nutrient solubilisation. Indirectly, they protect crops by suppressing plant pathogens through mechanisms such as the production of siderophores and the secretion of lytic enzymes. While these microorganisms show promise for improving crop health and functioning under abiotic stress, significant obstacles hinder their widespread commercial use. Critical barriers include strain specificity, formulation stability, and complex regulatory approval processes. Overcoming these formulation and biological challenges through further research is necessary to incorporate these beneficial bacteria into mainstream agricultural systems and decrease dependence on synthetic agrochemicals.
Widespread use of synthetic fertilisers and chemical pesticides harms ecosystems and leads to resistant crop pests. Utilising naturally occurring soil bacteria provides an eco-friendly way to protect crops and boost yields. Understanding and resolving the practical challenges of these biological solutions can help farmers transition away from harmful chemicals toward resilient, environmentally sustainable food production systems.
The technology applies to biological crop protection and biofertilisation products intended for agricultural producers. Although bacteria offer viable alternatives to synthetic chemicals, they remain at a transitional stage between applied research and broad commercial deployment. Scaling these solutions into mainstream agricultural markets requires resolving specific technical hurdles, notably improving formulation shelf life, managing strain specificity across varied crop environments, and navigating regulatory clearance pathways for biological inputs.
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The extensive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers in conventional agriculture has raised significant environmental and health issues, including the emergence of resistant pests and pathogens. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) present a sustainable alternative, offering dual benefits as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. This review delves into the mechanisms by which PGPR enhance plant growth, including nutrient solubilization, phytohormone production, and pathogen suppression. PGPR's commercial viability and application, particularly under abiotic stress conditions, are also examined. PGPR improves plant growth directly by enhancing nutrient uptake and producing growth-promoting substances and indirectly by inhibiting phytopathogens through mechanisms such as siderophore production and the secretion of lytic enzymes. Despite their potential, the commercialization of PGPR faces challenges, including strain specificity, formulation stability, and regulatory barriers. The review highlights the need for ongoing research to deepen our understanding of plant-microbe interactions and develop more robust PGPR formulations. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for integrating PGPR into mainstream agricultural practices and reducing reliance on synthetic agrochemicals. The successful adoption of PGPR could lead to more sustainable agricultural practices, promoting healthier crops and ecosystems.
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DOI: 10.1155/2024/6181491
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