Microbial Contribution to Agricultural Development and Environmental Conservation

Abstract

Alternatives are required to solve challenges encountered in the food security sector with the increasing global population due to ecological instability and changes observed in climate. Abiotic stress including high salinity and drought caused the degradation of soil thereby making it not fittable for agricultural practices to reveal the problem encountered. However, microbial communities including bacteria, fungi, and archaea have been proven to contribute to soil health, plant growth promotion, induce systemic resistance against diseases, and overall promote abundant production of agricultural products. These microbes also have the potential to control biotic and abiotic stresses and they are associated with improving climate-resilient soils. This review reveals the green and sustainable methods employed to combat soils encountering the problem posed by the change in climate and further reveals the potential of the microbes to stimulate the production of nutrients or elements required for agricultural sustainability, and also the beneficial value they add to the environment via biogeochemical cycle.