Biofertilization and Bioremediation—How Can Microbiological Technology Assist the Ecological Crisis in Developing Countries?

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript provides a relevant analysis of biofertilization and bioremediation technologies to mitigate environmental challenges in developing nations. The topic is highly relevant in the light of the sustainable use of resources in agriculture and the management of the environment.

But, there are some areas where clarity, depth, and overall structure should be improved to enhance the effectiveness of such a solution.

However, the manuscript is currently very compact, and it is not easy to trace individual arguments. A clear and easily distinguishable division of the material is required and to make it easily understandable that one section follows the other.

Here is the report with details of the following recommendations: Structure, Literature Review and Language Usage.

Introduction:

The introduction should have a clear problem statement that outlines why biofertilization and bioremediation are critical in today’s context.

 

Include a discussion on conventional approaches (e.g., chemical fertilizers, mechanical remediation) and emphasize their limitations.

Literature review:

 While the manuscript reviews a range of existing literature, there is a need for greater emphasis on recent developments in biofertilization and bioremediation (especially those from the past 5 years).

Moreover, the focus is primarily on benefits. A balanced literature review should also discuss the limitations of biofertilization and bioremediation, such as:    Challenges in microbial survival and persistence in adverse environmental conditions. And difficulties with large-scale application in field results.

*I suggest adding a biogeochemical cycle diagram. A flowchart summarizing microbial technology processes. A table of case studies.

*You have some redundancy in the text. Some sections have repeated information. For instance, the benefits of biofertilization are reiterated multiple times.

*Add a section discussing economic feasibility.

*Add a subsection titled "Future Directions and Policy Implications".

*Provide a list of 3-5 concrete recommendations for future research.

*Gramatical issues were also found ,for example, phrases like "and and" in the abstract

 

The topic proposed is very important and current, and this manuscript can be very useful to give a strategy for the use of biofertilizers and bioremediators in the developing countries. In this way, by presenting these issues in a more focused and systematic manner, the manuscript will offer a more balanced, less technical, but also more scientifically grounded picture of how microbiological technology can be used to address ecological problems.

 

 

Author Response

Reviewer 1:

The manuscript provides a relevant analysis of biofertilization and bioremediation technologies to mitigate environmental challenges in developing nations. The topic is highly relevant in the light of the sustainable use of resources in agriculture and the management of the environment.

But, there are some areas where clarity, depth, and overall structure should be improved to enhance the effectiveness of such a solution.

However, the manuscript is currently very compact, and it is not easy to trace individual arguments. A clear and easily distinguishable division of the material is required and to make it easily understandable that one section follows the other.

Answer: We believe that the article is suitably divided into sections and subsections

Here is the report with details of the following recommendations: Structure, Literature Review and Language Usage.

Introduction:

The introduction should have a clear problem statement that outlines why biofertilization and bioremediation are critical in today’s context.

1. Include a discussion on conventional approaches (e.g., chemical fertilizers, mechanical remediation) and emphasize their limitations.

Answer: This text was added: Thus, taking into consideration the information contextualized above, it is understood that the global demand for food is expected to continue growing at an accelerated pace, a fact that negatively impacts the environment in various ways. On the other hand, the specific environmental characteristics of tropical countries can aid in the improvement of agricultural production techniques and the recovery of more sustainable and effective environments, including biostimulation and bioremediation, which should, therefore, be further enhanced and more intensively applied. This article provides a brief compilation of data regarding the environmental impacts resulting from unchecked global development, which has led to the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers. It highlights the advantages and importance of these "bio-tools" as potential sustainable methods for managing natural resources.

 

Literature review:

1.  While the manuscript reviews a range of existing literature, there is a need for greater emphasis on recent developments in biofertilization and bioremediation (especially those from the past 5 years).

Answer:   We have included a section covering what appear (from the recent literature) to be the most probable near-future applications of microorganisms in technological processes of bioremediation and biofertilization (section 6).

1. Moreover, the focus is primarily on benefits. A balanced literature review should also discuss the limitations of biofertilization and bioremediation, such as: Challenges in microbial survival and persistence in adverse environmental conditions. And difficulties with large-scale application in field results.

Answer: Challenges are included in the new Section 6.

1. I suggest adding a biogeochemical cycle diagram. A flowchart summarizing microbial technology processes. A table of case studies.

Answer: Biochemical cycles have been published many times. We do not feel that another is necessary here. We feel that a summary flowchart would be too generic to cover the variety of processes involved.

1. You have some redundancy in the text. Some sections have repeated information. For instance, the benefits of biofertilization are reiterated multiple times.

Answer: Since the text is quite long and many processes are discussed, we feel that it is necessary to have such repetition in order for the reader to be able to follow the flow of the text with understanding.

1. Add a section discussing economic feasibility.

Answer: The text was added:

5. Economic Feasibility

Their affordability, environmental compatibility, and ability to enhance soil organic matter position microbial technologies as an effective approach to promoting sustainable agriculture. Improved cost-effectiveness and overall economic viability have demonstrated the potential of biofertilization, encouraging farmers to consider its adoption in the future [376]. In response, various companies have developed a range of biofertilizers that are widely utilized in the market. AgriLife®, for example, has introduced fifteen biofertilizer products targeting nutrient enhancement through nitrogen fixers, phosphate solubilizers, and potassium, ferrous, sulfur, manganese, and zinc-mobilizing microbes. Each biofertilizer is tailored to address specific nutrient needs and contains a unique bacterial strain [377].

TagTeam®, a multi-functional inoculant, is specifically designed for legume crops. It enhances phosphate utilization and nitrogen fixation through the combined action of Penicillium bilaii and rhizobia strains. Available in both granular and liquid forms, TagTeam is suitable for application on soybeans, peas, dry beans, lentils, and chickpeas [378].

JumpStart®, a notable product, utilizes Penicillium bilaii, a fungus that improves phosphate availability for plants. By colonizing plant roots, P. bilaii releases organic compounds into the soil, breaking the bonds between phosphate and other elements, thus increasing phosphate accessibility for plants while deriving nutrients from the host plant in a symbiotic relationship. This biofertilizer is particularly effective for crops such as canola, wheat, and legumes [379].

RhizoMyco® is another innovative biofertilizer containing a blend of eighteen species of endo- and ectomycorrhizae along with growth-promoting agents. Offered in soluble or injectable forms, it provides a broad spectrum of benefits by improving nutrient absorption and expanding root systems [380].

RhizoMyx®, a widely recognized endomycorrhizal inoculant, is formulated to enhance plant performance by fostering root nodule development and increasing the availability of essential nutrients [381].

Despite the relatively high availability of biofertilizers in the market, their accessibility to small-scale farmers, in Brazil, for example, remains limited. This is primarily due to a lack of promotion and insufficient information on the subject. Additionally, Brazilian environmental agencies have limited knowledge of this technology, which creates a series of barriers to its effective use across the country.

In Brazil, theoretically, it is mandatory to present a list of organisms comprising the microbial strains used in biofertilizers. However, since living organisms cannot be patented or registered by private entities in Brazil, laboratories often do not disclose the actual composition of their products when obtaining licenses. Furthermore, the inability of regulatory agencies to verify the declared composition allows for the practice of misinformation, significantly hindering the development of national products by small laboratories.

The aim of this article is to promote the use of biotechnologies not only by large producers but also by family farmers in developing countries. It is understood that widespread dissemination of these technologies, both for agricultural production and for bioremediation projects in soils and aquatic environments, is essential to raise awareness among environmental stakeholders about the various possibilities to be explored in this field of research.

 

1. Add a subsection titled "Future Directions and Policy Implications".

Answer:

6. Future Directions and Policy Implications

As indicated in this article, the extensive availability of data on soil stimulation and remediation biotechnology reflects advances primarily made by developed countries, whose results often address objectives different from the needs of developing countries, particularly those with hotter climates. These advances are also likely focused on market-oriented goals, which are far from the public policies required for socio-environmental sustainability.

The use of biotechnology on various scales should not be solely profit-driven but also serve as a tool for social welfare, especially for the underprivileged segments of society, which constitute the majority in the social pyramid of poorer countries. As previously illustrated, the use of biotechnology in small-scale family farming communities in Brazil is still in its early stages, despite its importance to national organic agriculture production [382]. Promoting the broader use of biostimulants is essential in this sector. On the other hand, few examples exist of projects focusing on the revitalization of environments inhabited by low-income populations, where the lack of sanitation infrastructure leads to issues with domestic sewage disposal, resulting in environmental imbalance through the disruption of microbial trophic networks. This disruption breaks critical links represented by sensitive microbiotic species, neutralizing the cooperation among diverse microorganisms within a specific strain. Consequently, this leads to the accumulation of organic matter, anoxia, and other phases stemming from overload of decomposing material.

One of the potential key social challenges that could be addressed through nutrient recycling bio-stimulation methods is the development of alternative sanitation techniques for areas where installing domestic waste collection networks is financially unfeasible. Notable examples include streams running through impoverished urban communities in large metropolitan areas such as Rio de Janeiro. In these regions, the steep topography of favelas makes conventional sewage systems impractical. The possible introduction of bioremediators as a method to purify these water bodies could facilitate the degradation of organic waste from low-income households using the streams as sewage outlets. This, in turn, could result in nutrient recycling that fertilizes the downstream water bodies, such as bays or beaches. The theoretical benefits are numerous, including improved water quality and increased productivity in estuarine environments.

It is understood that various other initiatives could be undertaken to integrate biotechnology into government projects. However, the primary obstacle remains the limited technical capacity of governmental agencies responsible for implementing public policies. At this juncture, it becomes evident that, as proposed in this article, the widespread dissemination of microbiotechnological techniques within governmental technical departments is of utmost urgency. To achieve this, a partnership between academia and the government in developing public policies may be the most effective path forward.

 

1. Provide a list of 3-5 concrete recommendations for future research.

Answer: We believe the previous item has already addressed this request.

 

1. Gramatical issues were also found, for example, phrases like "and and" in the abstract

Answer: The text was reviewed.

The topic proposed is very important and current, and this manuscript can be very useful to give a strategy for the use of biofertilizers and bioremediators in developing countries. In this way, by presenting these issues in a more focused and systematic manner, the manuscript will offer a more balanced, less technical, but also more scientifically grounded picture of how microbial technology can be used to address ecological problems.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Overall, extremely informative and detailed review. I only had minor suggestions..

Line 67: Which inoculants?: such as biofertilizers, biopestides etc

Line: 69: Write out what Embrapa stands for

Line 79: Verify reference #8 contain  the DNA based technology identification process. I was not sure it was the correct#.

 Line 185; maybe write out United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ?

Fig1: perhaps a key to the color codes: Green= forest; orange=crops etc..

246: state ethylene is a major or significant gaseous phytohormone.

507: define biochar

Author Response

Reviewer 2. Overall, extremely informative and detailed review. I only had minor suggestions..

Line 67: Which inoculants?: such as biofertilizers, biopestides etc

Answer: Done (like biofertilizers derived from tropical soils),

Line: 69: Write out what Embrapa stands for

Answer: Done (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation)

Line 79: Verify reference #8 contain  the DNA based technology identification process. I was not sure it was the correct#.

Answer: Done, it is correct.

Line 185; maybe write out United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ?

Answer: Done

Fig1: perhaps a key to the color codes: Green= forest; orange=crops etc..

Answer: Unfortunately, there is no time to modify the figures.

246: state ethylene is a major or significant gaseous phytohormone.

Answer: Done: “Hormonal signaling plays a significant role in heat stress responses, with ethylene as a major gaseous phytohormone [71, 72, 73]”

507: define biochar

Answer: Done: “Currently, there are no reported studies that involve microorganisms and the impact of soil compaction resulting from cattle farming. However, some authors address the use of biochar to mitigate this problem. Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by the thermal decomposition of organic matter (such as agricultural residues, wood chips, or manure) in a low-oxygen environment through a process called pyrolysis. It is primarily used as a soil amendment to improve soil fertility, enhance water retention, and sequester carbon, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation. Gao and DeLuca (2022) [174] suggest that soil compaction and the consequent reduction in soil moisture and aeration may affect nutrient cycling, hindering natural repopulation with vegetation.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors,

       Good job for hard work!

    Face to the pollution and damage to the environment, to discuss to protect the environment by means of rational use of microorganisms is very meaningful because this pathway is a friendly method. In this paper, elaborately and comprehensively stated the progress in the researchs on the plant stress physiology, soil microorganism function and the intraction among the microorganism, soil and plants, it could guide how to protect and restore the environment. You had consulted large quantity of references, the conclusion was reliable based on well-argued demonstration.

    But the details of the content were not enough appropriate, and the logical structure is not enough perfect too, so the text was too long.

       Suggestions are the following.

      1. It maybe reasonable that the contents of this paper maybe focus on the soil microorganism physiological and ecologmical function, growth and decline characteristics in soil and requirement to the environment, and it was necessary only to describe the plant physiological research reports in brief. 

       2. Two parts are divided into maybe more reasonable, namely, review the progress in the theoratic research first, then discuss how to use the soil microorganism comprehensivly.

Author Response

It maybe reasonable that the contents of this paper maybe focus on the soil microorganism physiological and ecologmical function, growth and decline characteristics in soil and requirement to the environment, and it was necessary only to describe the plant physiological research reports in brief. 

Answer: We do not really understand what the reviewer is trying to say. If he means that we should emphasize microbial physiology and growth and reduce published research efforts that involve biotechnological applications, we do not agree.

 

Two parts are divided into maybe more reasonable, namely, review the progress in the theoratic research first, then discuss how to use the soil microorganism comprehensivly.

Answer: This would require a complete rewrite and we prefer not to do this.

 

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript entitled ‘Biofertilization and Bioremediation - How Can Microbiological Technology Assist the Ecological Crisis in Developing Countries?' is very interesting. However, there are a lot of important sentences without references. Besides that, the text refers to microorganisms that, in the presence of an abiotic factor (temperature, salinity, drought, etc.), increase the production of hormones or osmolytes. I miss the biochemical explanation and route of how this can affect the production of the compound in question. I also miss figures, especially about biochemical routes and a conclusion figure for each main title. It is a review document, the authors must put as much information as they can!!! Most of the references during the text are in an incorrect way, please check this throughout the text.

 

I recommend the manuscript for acceptance with major revisions.

 

Line 85: References need to be in number. Please, change to ‘Ranipa et al. [9]’. Please, revise and change throughout the text (there are lot of references in an incorrect way!!!).

 

Line 590: ‘Genetically Modified Microorganisms for Bioremediation’. Is this a subtitle?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author Response

Comments: The manuscript entitled ‘Biofertilization and Bioremediation - How Can Microbiological Technology Assist the Ecological Crisis in Developing Countries?' is very interesting. However, there are a lot of important sentences without references.

Answer: Some references were added.

Besides that, the text refers to microorganisms that, in the presence of an abiotic factor (temperature, salinity, drought, etc.), increase the production of hormones or osmolytes. I miss the biochemical explanation and route of how this can affect the production of the compound in question. I also miss figures, especially about biochemical routes and a conclusion figure for each main title. It is a review document, the authors must put as much information as they can!!!

Answer: No additional figures were added due to the considerable length the article has already reached. Priority was given to the figures already presented, as biogeochemical cycles are covered in any undergraduate textbook and are easily accessible.

 

 

Comments: Most of the references during the text are in an incorrect way, please check this throughout the text.

Answer: References were checked and corrected one by one.

 

Line 85: References need to be in number. Please, change to ‘Ranipa et al. [9]’. Please, revise and change throughout the text (there are lot of references in an incorrect way!!!).

Answer: References were checked and corrected one by one.

Line 590: ‘Genetically Modified Microorganisms for Bioremediation’. Is this a subtitle?

Answer: The proper numbering was given to this subtitle.

We sincerely appreciate the reviewer’s suggestions and believe that the article has significantly improved through the modifications based on their observations.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Editor,

I have thoroughly reviewed the revised manuscript and confirm that all the necessary revisions and suggestions have been appropriately addressed. The paper now meets the required standards, and I believe it is ready for publication.

Please let me know if any further input is needed.

Best regards

Author Response

Thanks

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 Very organized  and informative review article. 

Author Response

Thanks

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors,

       How are you!

       I mean the emphasis is the soil microorganism physiological and ecological function, growth and decline characteristics in soil, the requirement to the environment.  I think that you emphasize these contents doesn't mean the published research efforts involving biotechnological applications will be reduced. After all the modern plant physiological research is based on the methods of the biotechnology too.  

       You aren't willing to agree to my suggestions because you don't prefer to rewriting.  I feel sorry I can't seem to convince you.

Author Response

Despite the advances already made in the field of biotechnology, the use of biofertilizers/bioremediators remains limited to large producers, especially in countries like Brazil. This is precisely due to the fact that investments are primarily made by large biotechnology companies. On the other hand, the limited dissemination of this information, which remains restricted to a small group of entrepreneurs, hinders the possibility of using these technologies as national public policies promoted by the government itself. This article represents another source of dissemination of the positive aspects, particularly regarding financial and ecological sustainability, aiming to encourage researchers located in tropical countries to further develop biotechnologies that are more suited to their local climatic reality. This would replace the importation of knowledge from colder climate countries and leverage the climate and resulting biodiversity as an advantage in solving problems such as the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, while also stimulating a sensitive area like biotechnological environmental sanitation. At no point did the article claim a lack of research in biotechnology, but it does criticize the lack of access to this technology by government agencies and public universities.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript entitled ‘Biofertilization and Bioremediation - How Can Microbiological Technology Assist the Ecological Crisis in Developing Countries?' is very interesting. I recommend the manuscript for acceptance.

 

Line 531: References need to be in number. Please, change to ‘Gao and DeLuca [XX]’.

Line 738: Dehalogenimonas in italic.

Author Response

Line 531: References need to be in number. Please, change to ‘Gao and DeLuca [XX]’.

Answer: Done

 

Line 738: Dehalogenimonas in italic.

Answer: Done

 

Dear Reviewer, we sincerely appreciate your feedback.

Kind regards

 

 

Round 3

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors,

       Thank you for your hard working!

       I really appreciate this article actually. Your explanation in this round makes some sense.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer, we sincerely appreciate your feedback.

 

Kind Regards,

 

E.