Use of Bio-Fertilizers to Improve Crop Quality and Yield

Dear Colleagues,

The Population Division of the United Nations estimates that by 2050 the world’s population will reach 9.1 billion, approximately one third higher than today. Climate change, together with intensive agriculture will also continue to increase the intensity and spreading of biotic and abiotic stresses. As a consequence, global food demand will eventually surpass the availability of food resources especially in developing countries where the population increase is the greatest.

In this context, the use of beneficial plant microorganisms, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), and endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi is an attractive technology to address these problems. In the past two decades, our knowledge of the mechanisms employed by beneficial microorganisms in plant growth promotion has increased. However, there is still a strong need for a better understanding of the practical use of these biofertilizers.

This Special Issue will address studies (including, e.g., original research, research perspectives, mini reviews, commentaries, and opinion papers) that focus on the following:

(i) Strategies to select unique biofertilizers;

(ii) Identification of new plant beneficial microorganisms;

(iii) Definition of the effects of microorganisms on plants grown in field conditions, and identification of the factors limiting their beneficial impact or survival in the environment;

(iv) Characterization of the changes induced by the introduction of these new isolates on the resident microbiota;

(v) Formulation of efficient commercial biofertilizers (both as individual strains or as a consortium of isolates combining different beneficial physiological traits) that can meet the farmer's expectations.

Dr. Elisa Gamalero
Dr. Simone Cantamessa
Dr. Patrizia Cesaro
Dr. Giorgia Novello
Guest Editors

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