Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.2
4.7
Journals
Microorganisms
Special Issues
Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition
share announcement

Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition

A Special Issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607) belonging to the section "Environmental Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 14732

Editor

Dr. Wen-Ching Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Bachelor Program in Agribusiness, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
Interests: soil remediation; soil microbiology; pesticide; environmental toxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is a continuation of our previous Special Issue, titled “Microorganisms in Agriculture”.

This Special Issue aims to explore the pivotal role of microorganisms in enhancing agricultural productivity, sustainability, and resilience. Microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoa, play diverse and crucial roles in agricultural ecosystems, influencing soil health, plant growth, nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and overall ecosystem functioning.

In this Special Issue, original research articles, reviews, and perspectives are welcome. Research areas may include various aspects of microbial involvement in agriculture, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Crop–Microbe Interactions: Research focusing on the symbiotic and pathogenic interactions between crops and microorganisms, including beneficial associations such as mycorrhizal symbiosis, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and biocontrol agents against plant pathogens.
  • Microbial Biostimulants and Biofertilizers: Exploration of microbial-based products and formulations designed to enhance crop growth, nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and overall crop productivity in sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Microbial Control of Crop Diseases: Investigations into the mechanisms underlying microbial biocontrol agents' efficacy against phytopathogens and the development of novel strategies for managing crop diseases while minimizing environmental impacts.
  • Microbial Bioremediation: Studies assessing the potential of microorganisms to degrade pollutants, detoxify soil, and mitigate environmental contamination in agricultural settings.
  • Microbial Diversity and Functional Genomics: Utilization of advanced molecular techniques and omics approaches to characterize microbial communities, identify key functional genes, and decipher metabolic pathways relevant to agricultural ecosystems.

We look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Wen-Ching Chen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bio-fertilizer
  • bio-pesticide
  • functional microbes
  • microbial ecology
  • plant growth-promoting microorganisms
  • bio-remediation

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issues

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 1414 KB  
Article
A Fusarium Isolate from a Salt Marsh Improves the Salinity Tolerance of a Commercial Cultivar of Festuca rubra via Enhanced Root K+ Homeostasis
by Liping Wang, Sasirekha Munikumar, Junjie Yi, Marten Staal, Jan Henk Venema and Theo Elzenga
Microorganisms 2026, 14(7), 1598; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14071598 - 22 Jul 2026
Viewed by 557
Abstract
Salinity poses a major threat to sustainable agriculture and coastal ecosystems, resulting in a substantial loss of plant productivity and biodiversity. Although some coastal grass species exhibit natural adaptation to saline conditions, the physiological mechanisms underlying salt tolerance remain incompletely understood, particularly regarding [...] Read more.
Salinity poses a major threat to sustainable agriculture and coastal ecosystems, resulting in a substantial loss of plant productivity and biodiversity. Although some coastal grass species exhibit natural adaptation to saline conditions, the physiological mechanisms underlying salt tolerance remain incompletely understood, particularly regarding the contribution of plant-associated microorganisms. In a previous study, a commercial cultivar of red fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra cv. Rafael) was shown to be salt sensitive when grown hydroponically, whereas wild populations of F. rubra commonly occur in coastal salt marshes (possibly ssp. litoralis). We hypothesized that this difference in salt tolerance is partly associated with beneficial fungal plant interactions. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether inoculation with a fungal isolate designated Fusarium sp. 1 and isolated from F. rubra growing on a salt marsh along the Dutch Wadden Sea coast could improve the salinity tolerance of the commercial cultivar. The results showed that inoculation with Fusarium sp. 1 alleviated the salt-induced growth inhibition. At 100 mM NaCl, shoot and root biomass were partially restored relative to non-inoculated controls, accompanied by a significant increase in the shoot-to-root ratio. To investigate the physiological basis of this response, we applied the Microelectrode Ion Flux Estimation (MIFE) technique to quantify Na+ -induced K+ efflux in roots. Inoculated plants exhibited improved K+ homeostasis, characterized by a reduced instantaneous Na+-induced K+ efflux and a faster recovery of root fluxes. Moreover, inoculated plants grown at 50 and 100 mM NaCl displayed 333% and 397% greater net K+ influx, respectively, compared with non-inoculated controls. Our results indicated that inoculation with Fusarium sp. 1 improves the salinity tolerance of F. rubra, likely through enhanced root K+ retention. These findings suggest that commercial F. rubra cultivars remain responsive to beneficial microbial associations and highlight the potential of exploring plant–microbe interactions from naturally salt-adapted environments to improve salinity resilience in grasses and potentially other crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 7903 KB  
Article
Divergent Expression of Acidic and Alkaline Pectate Lyases in Ditylenchus destructor During Initial Infection Time Course
by Bingxue Sun, Bo Gao, Yonghao Dong, Xiuhua Li, Juan Ma, Rongyan Wang and Shulong Chen
Microorganisms 2026, 14(4), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040829 - 4 Apr 2026
Viewed by 724
Abstract
Pectate lyase (PeL) is a key cell wall-degrading enzyme in the infection process of plant-parasitic nematodes, with a large gene family exhibiting functional redundancy. The dominant PeL isoform during the initial infection time course remains unclear. In this study, 21 Ddpel genes were [...] Read more.
Pectate lyase (PeL) is a key cell wall-degrading enzyme in the infection process of plant-parasitic nematodes, with a large gene family exhibiting functional redundancy. The dominant PeL isoform during the initial infection time course remains unclear. In this study, 21 Ddpel genes were identified in Ditylenchus destructor Thorne, 1945, 7 of which were differentially expressed during the initial infection time course of this nematode. The purified proteins of these seven DdPeLs showed pathogenicity toward both sweet potato and tobacco, and their optimal enzymatic pH varied significantly. Prior to host infection, D. destructor preferentially expresses Ddpel genes encoding pectate lyase with higher activity at pH 5.8. However, within 5 days post-inoculation with nematodes, the expression of genes encoding acidic DdPeL enzymes (enzymes with optimal activity in acidic pH) was upregulated, while genes encoding alkaline DdPeL enzymes (optimal activity in alkaline pH) were concurrently downregulated. Through site-directed mutagenesis, we demonstrated that the loss of enzymatic activity in DdPeLs abolished their ability to induce plant cell death. Furthermore, when acidic or alkaline DdPeLs were pre-treated with dialysis in their respective optimal pH buffers prior to infiltration, their pathogenicity was significantly enhanced. Together, these findings demonstrate that enzymatic activity, governed by protein structure and local pH, is a key determinant of pathogenicity. Previous studies have reported that phytopathogens can secrete organic acids during the initial infection phase, leading to localized acidification of the host microenvironment. We therefore hypothesize that, during the initial infection time course, nematodes may actively acidify the host microenvironment to specifically enhance the enzymatic activity of acidic DdPeLs, thereby promoting cell wall degradation and facilitating infection establishment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 4185 KB  
Article
The Effect of Indigenous Cultivable Microorganism Inoculation on Soil Microecology During Restoration of Obstructed Soils
by Qunfei Ma, Bing Zhang and Juntao Cui
Microorganisms 2026, 14(4), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040784 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1080
Abstract
Soil fumigation effectively mitigates replanting obstacles induced by intensive cultivation, yet its non-targeted biocidal effects can suppress beneficial microbial activity, potentially compromising agricultural sustainability. Microbial inoculation, as a strategy to supplement beneficial microorganisms, is often employed to restore soil microbial communities. However, in [...] Read more.
Soil fumigation effectively mitigates replanting obstacles induced by intensive cultivation, yet its non-targeted biocidal effects can suppress beneficial microbial activity, potentially compromising agricultural sustainability. Microbial inoculation, as a strategy to supplement beneficial microorganisms, is often employed to restore soil microbial communities. However, in practice, commonly used exogenous microbial consortia exhibit poor adaptability in non-native environments, frequently resulting in limited efficacy. To address this limitation, we propose an ecological intervention based on the reintroduction of indigenous cultivable microorganisms: cultivable microbial communities were isolated from healthy adjacent soils and inoculated into fumigated soils affected by replanting obstacles. The experimental soil consisted of black soil under continuous cropping, collected from Northeast China. The three treatments were continuous cropping soil (control), fumigated continuous cropping soil and fumigated continuous cropping soil after inoculation of indigenous cultivable microorganisms. Using high-throughput sequencing and agronomic–chemical analyses, combined with cross-domain networks and procrustes analysis, we systematically assessed the ecological effects of this approach on microbial restoration and the alleviation of replanting obstacles. The results showed that indigenous cultivable microorganism inoculation significantly increased the richness of bacterial and fungal communities in fumigated soils within 21 days, extending microbial richness and diversity. Furthermore, inoculation accelerated the reconstruction of dominant microbial community structures, with the relative abundance of dominant species reaching up to 80%. Positive synergistic interactions between bacteria and fungi increased by approximately 10%, enhancing network stability. Key bacterial taxa, such as Paenibacillus and Mycobacterium, were significantly correlated with available potassium and phosphorus content, while Micromonospora, Massilia, and Flavisolibacter influenced plant fresh weight, total nitrogen, and potassium accumulation. Key fungal taxa, such as Cryptococcus and Phialemonium, were significantly associated with soil organic matter stability, maize photosynthetic efficiency, plant dry weight, and total phosphorus content. This study confirms the ecological adaptability and functionality of indigenous cultivable microorganisms in soil ecosystem restoration, offering a low-risk, highly effective localized intervention strategy for sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

19 pages, 4197 KB  
Article
Ecological Modulation of Soil Microbial Communities by Fertilization Regimes: Insights from Castor Bean Cake, Chemical Fertilizers, and Organic Fertilizer
by Chongyang Hu, Yalijuan Wu, Zecheng Li, Zhiyong Wang, Fenglan Huang, Zhiquan Fan and Mu Peng
Microorganisms 2025, 13(12), 2841; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13122841 - 14 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1046
Abstract
Fertilization plays a vital role in replenishing soil nutrients, shaping microbial community composition, and enhancing agricultural productivity. Castor bean cake (CBC) is a nitrogen- and carbon-rich by-product increasingly used as an organic amendment, yet its effects on soil microbiomes remain unclear. Here, we [...] Read more.
Fertilization plays a vital role in replenishing soil nutrients, shaping microbial community composition, and enhancing agricultural productivity. Castor bean cake (CBC) is a nitrogen- and carbon-rich by-product increasingly used as an organic amendment, yet its effects on soil microbiomes remain unclear. Here, we compared CBC with a compound chemical fertilizer (CF) and a manure-based organic fertilizer (OF) across dose gradients using 16S rRNA sequencing and multi-level ecology analyses (α/β diversity, co-occurrence networks, and community assembly models). The results revealed that CBC increased bacterial richness and phylogenetic breadth relative to the unfertilized cultivated control, whereas OF showed dose-dependent declines in richness and CF maintained relatively stable richness with slight reductions in evenness at higher doses. Phylum-level composition shifted strongly with fertilizer identity: Bacillota decreased, whereas Pseudomonadota and Acidobacteriota increased under fertilization, with the largest compositional changes under CBC. CBC strengthened nutrient–enzyme–microbe coupling and generated increasingly complex, highly connected, and robust co-occurrence networks along the dose gradient, outperforming high-dose OF in network complexity and robustness, while OF maintained higher modularity. Null-model partitions (βNTI/RC_bray, NST, NCM, iCAMP) indicated that stochastic processes dominated community assembly across treatments; along the CBC gradient, dispersal limitation decreased from CBC1 to CBC2 and drift remained dominant, indicating increasing stochastic stabilization at moderate–high doses. Together, CBC promoted microbiome recovery and ecological resilience and represents a promising amendment for soil health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2880 KB  
Article
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Lasiodiplodia theobromae Causing Stem Gummosis Disease in Rubber Trees and Its Chemical Control Strategies
by Chunping He, Jinjing Lin, He Wu, Jinlong Zheng, Yong Zhang, Yu Zhang, Zengping Li, Yanqiong Liang, Ying Lu, Kexian Yi and Weihuai Wu
Microorganisms 2025, 13(7), 1586; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13071586 - 5 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3632
Abstract
Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) is a major tropical cash crop in southern China, with Hainan and Yunnan provinces being the main planting areas. In July 2023, bark cracking and gumming were observed on the trunks of mature rubber trees in [...] Read more.
Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) is a major tropical cash crop in southern China, with Hainan and Yunnan provinces being the main planting areas. In July 2023, bark cracking and gumming were observed on the trunks of mature rubber trees in Haikou City, Hainan Province, leading to xylem rot, which severely impacted the healthy growth of the rubber trees. The present study was conducted to confirm the pathogenicity of the patho-gen associated with stem gummosis disease, characterize it using morphological and mo-lecular tools, and devise field management strategies. Pathogenicity testing showed that this strain induced symptoms similar to those of natural outdoor infestation. Based on morphological study and molecular analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), transla-tion elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1-α), and β-tubulin 2 (TUB2) sequences, the causal agent was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Field trials demonstrated that an inte-grated fungicide approach—combining trunk application of Bordeaux mixture with root irrigation using citric acid–copper 6.4% + chelated copper-ammonium 15% at both 0.1% and 0.2% concentration—effectively suppressed stem gummosis disease incidence in rub-ber trees. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of L. theobromae causing stem gummosis on rubber tree in China. The findings of this study can provide valuable infor-mation for the management strategies and understanding of this disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1974 KB  
Article
Development of Enzyme-Mediated Duplex Exponential Amplification Assay for Detection and Identification of Meloidogyne enterolobii in Field
by Bingxue Sun, Bo Gao, Rongyan Wang, Shulong Chen, Xiuhua Li, Yonghao Dong and Juan Ma
Microorganisms 2025, 13(6), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13061353 - 11 Jun 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1325
Abstract
The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii has emerged as a devastating pathogen in global agricultural systems. Its geographic distribution is progressively expanding from tropical to temperate zones, leading to difficulties in discerning the symptoms it causes from those of congeners such as M. incognita [...] Read more.
The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii has emerged as a devastating pathogen in global agricultural systems. Its geographic distribution is progressively expanding from tropical to temperate zones, leading to difficulties in discerning the symptoms it causes from those of congeners such as M. incognita. Currently, some molecular diagnostic technologies (e.g., qPCR) have been established for detecting M. enterolobii, but these methods fail to meet field-based detection demands due to their reliance on laboratory-grade thermocyclers. We thus developed a method for detecting M. enterolobii based on enzyme-mediated duplex exponential amplification (EmDEA) technologies to address this issue. The EmDEA detection method demonstrated strict specificity for the target species, showing no amplification in 13 non-target nematodes or host tissue samples. Sensitivity analyses revealed detection limits of 3.6 × 10−4 ng/μL (purified DNA), 1/1000 of an individual nematode (single-organism detection), 8.97 nematodes/g sweet potato, and 4.08 nematodes/100 g soil, achieving equivalent performance to qPCR. Field validation confirmed successful on-site detection, with significantly higher nematode loads in root tissues (50.41–97.62 nematodes/g) than in rhizospheric soil (1.07–1.28 nematodes/g). The established detection method employs a 42 °C isothermal amplification technology paired with a palm-sized thermal module, enabling field-deployable detection. Its unique duplex exponential amplification mechanism achieves threshold determination 10 cycles (~10 min) faster than conventional qPCR. When integrated with rapid DNA extraction protocols, the entire workflow is completed within 40 min, improving detection efficiency. This study provides a molecular tool for the precise monitoring of M. enterolobii, offering critical support for formulating targeted control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 3661 KB  
Article
Effect of Rare, Locally Isolated Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Survival of Bactrocera oleae Pupae in Laboratory Soil Conditions
by Spiridon Mantzoukas, Alexandros Margaritis, Chrysanthi Zarmakoupi, Vasileios Papantzikos, Thomais Sourouni, Vasiliki Georgopoulou, Panagiotis A. Eliopoulos, Ioannis Lagogiannis and George Patakioutas
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040811 - 2 Apr 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1346
Abstract
Greece’s olive oil production is significantly affected by the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae), and its presence is perceived when it is too late to act for damage recovery. In this work, some unexplored entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) were studied for their [...] Read more.
Greece’s olive oil production is significantly affected by the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae), and its presence is perceived when it is too late to act for damage recovery. In this work, some unexplored entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) were studied for their efficacy on olive fruit fly pupae in soil samples. Olive grove soil samples were collected to evaluate the effect of EPFs in their natural environment. The parameters that were analyzed to evaluate the performance of EPFs on B. oleae included the adult survival time, pupa hatch time, and the presence of mycelium on B. oleae pupae and dead adults. The efficacy of some EPFs was highlighted by the mycelium present on dead B. oleae adults after treating pupae with fungal isolates on the soil substrate. The results showed that for the soil substrate, external fungal growth was observed in dead adults with A. contaminans, A. keveii, A. flavus P. lilacinum, and T. annesophieae (100%). Remarkably, the lowest male proportion for soil and non-soil substrates was for A. flavus (0.41–0.42) for the first time, for A. keveii (0.36), and for P. citreosulfuratum (0.41) on the soil-only substrate in contrast to the control treatment (0.5 for both substrates). Given the high infestation caused by the olive fruit flies in Greece, the results of the study emphasize to use of incorporating certain EPF-based biopesticides into integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2253 KB  
Article
Unveiling the Thermotolerance and Growth-Promoting Attributes of Endophytic Bacteria Derived from Oryza sativa: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture
by Wonder Nathi Dlamini, Wei-An Lai, Wen-Ching Chen and Fo-Ting Shen
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040766 - 27 Mar 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2004
Abstract
High temperatures pose significant challenges to rice plants’ growth and their associated endophytic bacteria. Understanding how these bacteria respond to heat stress is vital. We assessed the potential of five endophytic bacterial strains derived from Oryza sativa—Bacillus tequilensis LB3, B. coagulans [...] Read more.
High temperatures pose significant challenges to rice plants’ growth and their associated endophytic bacteria. Understanding how these bacteria respond to heat stress is vital. We assessed the potential of five endophytic bacterial strains derived from Oryza sativa—Bacillus tequilensis LB3, B. coagulans LB6, B. paralicheniformis AS9, B. pumilus LB16, and B. paranthracis i40C—to mitigate heat stress effects on rice plants. These strains demonstrated robust abilities in producing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and siderophores, nitrogen fixation, and solubilization of phosphate and potassium. Under high-temperature conditions, they significantly enhanced rice plant growth, with increases in plant length of up to 78% at 40 °C. Notably, LB6 showed the highest biomass increase (195%). The strains also improved chlorophyll SPAD values, an indicator of reduced heat stress effects and improved plant health. Phytohormone profiling and biochemical analyses revealed significant increases in abscisic acid (ABA) levels, reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA), and elevated osmoprotectant proline accumulation under heat stress. Inoculated plants exhibited up to 539 ng g−1 of ABA (vs. 62 ng g−1 in uninoculated controls), a 68% reduction in MDA (indicating less oxidative damage), and enhanced proline synthesis, collectively suggesting improved stress adaptation. These changes were linked to bacterial IAA production and nutrient modulation, which alleviated heat-induced physiological decline. These findings underscore the potential of these endophytes as biofertilizers to improve rice resilience under heat stress. Among the strains, LB6 exhibited superior performance, offering the greatest promise for heat-stress mitigation in rice production. This study advances our understanding of phytohormonal, heat stress signaling, and chemical processes underlying bacterial-mediated thermotolerance, providing a foundation for sustainable agricultural strategies. Future research can explore morphological and biochemical analyses, stress-responsive gene expression (e.g., HSPs, DREBs, and APX) linked to thermotolerance, and the combined effects of selected strains with fertilizers in high-temperature rice cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

28 pages, 9031 KB  
Review
Harnessing Nitrogen-Fixing and Phosphate-Mobilizing Bacteria for Sustainable Agriculture
by Madina Rakhmatova, Tokhir Khusanov, Khabibjon Kushiev, Zhanar Tekebayeva, Zuobin Wang, Aliya Temirbekova, Ainur Amantayeva, Akhan Abzhalelov, Zhandarbek Bekshin, Arvind Kumar Dubey, Fariza Kyzykbaikyzy, Arman Abilkhadirov, Aslan Temirkhanov and Zhadyrassyn Nurbekova
Microorganisms 2026, 14(4), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040803 - 1 Apr 2026
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2132
Abstract
This review investigates the multifaceted roles of nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-mobilizing bacteria in natural ecosystems, with a particular focus on their contributions to plant growth and sustainable soil management. These microbial communities contribute substantially to nutrient cycling by converting atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms [...] Read more.
This review investigates the multifaceted roles of nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-mobilizing bacteria in natural ecosystems, with a particular focus on their contributions to plant growth and sustainable soil management. These microbial communities contribute substantially to nutrient cycling by converting atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms and mobilizing insoluble phosphorus in soil, thereby enhancing soil fertility and promoting sustainable plant productivity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization and mineralization, and the production of plant growth–promoting metabolites. Particular attention is given to plant–microbe interactions and their role in improving nutrient availability, regulating plant physiological processes, and enhancing tolerance to abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and heavy metal contamination. The findings underscore the ecological importance of these plant-associated microbial communities and highlight their potential applications in biofertilizer and biostimulant development for sustainable agriculture and reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms in Agriculture, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-9
Back to TopTop