Enhancing Crop Productivity Through Plant-Microbe Interactions and Nutrient Management
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Physiology and Crop Production".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2026) | Viewed by 890
Editors
Interests: endophytic microorganisms; plant-microbe interactions; plant microbiomes; microbial diversity; microbial formulations; plant growth promotion
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Plant–microbe interactions have long been recognized as a fundamental ecological mechanism driving the evolutionary success of land plants. Plant microbiomes possess a remarkable capacity to express functional traits that are decisive for the host’s success, including phytohormone synthesis, nutrient mobilization, and pathogen suppression.
Current research extensively supports the importance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (both nodulating or non-nodulating). Genera such as Bradyrhizobium and Azospirillum have revolutionized modern sustainable agriculture through biotechnological formulations that enhance crop yields. Furthermore, phosphate- and potassium-solubilizing microorganisms—notably Bacillus species such as B. megaterium, B. subtilis, and B. velezensis—provide essential alternatives for accessing soil nutrient pools otherwise unavailable to plants.
Beyond nutrition, microorganisms are powerful allies against abiotic and biotic stresses. For instance, exopolysaccharide-producing bacteria can ensure productivity under water-restricted environments. Simultaneously, symbiotic microbes can trigger induced systemic resistance (ISR) or exert direct antibiosis against phytopathogenic fungi and insect pests.
In addition to microbial inoculants, nutrient management remains a critical strategy for maximizing yields. Understanding crop nutritional requirements and toxicity thresholds is essential for economic efficiency and environmental stewardship, particularly in minimizing nitrate and phosphate leaching. This Special Issue of Plants aims to explore the synergy between microbial interactions and nutrient management as non-exclusive, allied strategies to reach unprecedented levels of agricultural productivity.
Dr. Luciana Cristina Vitorino
Dr. Layara Alexandre Bessa
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- plant growth promotion
- bioinputs
- nutrient solubilization
- biological control
- nutrient management
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