Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria as a Green Alternative for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Environmental stress is a major challenge for sustainable food production as it reduces yield by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) which pose a threat to cell organelles and biomolecules such as proteins, DNA, enzymes, and others, leading to apoptosis. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offers an eco-friendly and green alternative to synthetic agrochemicals and conventional agricultural practices in accomplishing sustainable agriculture by boosting growth and stress tolerance in plants. PGPR inhabit the rhizosphere of soil and exhibit positive interaction with plant roots. These organisms render multifaceted benefits to plants by several mechanisms such as the release of phytohormones, nitrogen fixation, solubilization of mineral phosphates, siderophore production for iron sequestration, protection against various pathogens, and stress. PGPR has the potential to curb the adverse effects of various stresses such as salinity, drought, heavy metals, floods, and other stresses on plants by inducing the production of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Genetically engineered PGPR strains play significant roles to alleviate the abiotic stress to improve crop productivity. Thus, the present review will focus on the impact of PGPR on stress resistance, plant growth promotion, and induction of antioxidant systems in plants.

Effects of Phytohormone-Producing Rhizobacteria on Casparian Band Formation, Ion Homeostasis and Salt Tolerance of Durum Wheat

“…This determines the search for approaches to increase salt tolerance of plants, i.e., the ability to maintain productivity under salt stress. Recently, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which stimulate plant growth and increase their productivity under stress conditions, has become increasingly popular [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Nevertheless, not all PGPR are capable of increasing salt tolerance.…”

Bio-Priming of Soybean with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bacillus megaterium: Strategy to Improve Seed Germination and the Initial Seedling Growth

“…Bacteria characterized as PGPR also contribute to the suppression of plant pathogens through competition, antibiosis, parasitism or predation and induction of systemic resistance (ISR) [ 13 ]. Furthermore, PGPR can help maintain plant growth and development under various stress conditions that limit crop productivity [ 14 ]. Beneficial effects of PGPR on germination, growth and yield have been reported in many field and vegetable crops, including soybean [ 15 ].…”

Exploitation of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria for Sustainable Agriculture: Hierarchical Approach to Link Laboratory and Field Experiments

“…Studies carried out to date suggest that plants completely free of microorganisms represent an exception. Furthermore, in recent years, new beneficial microorganisms potentially applicable for agricultural production have been identified [ 7 ]. The best known and most ancient beneficial microorganisms are the Rhizobia.…”