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Microbial Plant Biostimulants for Agricultural Sustainability: Progress and Challenges
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Microbial Plant Biostimulants for Agricultural Sustainability: Progress and Challenges

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant–Soil Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 5662

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sajad Ali

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
2. Department of Biological Sciences, King Fauisal University, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia
Interests: molecular plant–microbe interactions; plant stress biology and plant microbiome
Dr. Bilal Ahmed

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
Interests: molecular plant–microbe interactions and plant stress biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants are constantly challenged by an array of biotic and abiotic stressors, which significantly affect their growth, development and yield. In addition, they can also change soil physicochemical properties, which have a significant impact on plant growth and their survival. In field conditions, these stressors can occur either individually or in combination. As global climate change progresses, the frequency and intensity of these stressors have increased, which has further endangered plant survival as well as posing a serious threat to food security. Since expanding agricultural areas is unsustainable, the only way we can move forward is by harnessing sustainable approaches to improve crop growth and yield. One such approach is utilizing microbial or plant-based bio stimulants for improving agricultural productivity. This Special Issue will cover the role of microbial or plant-based bio stimulants for improving plant growth and stress resilience. Also, papers related to microbiome or plant engineering to improve the efficiency and stability of bio stimulants for sustainable crop improvement and mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses will be considered.

Dr. Sajad Ali
Dr. Bilal Ahmed
Guest Editors

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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

  • microbial biostimulants
  • biotic
  • abiotic
  • crop improvement
  • omics

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 1528 KB  
Article
Synergy of Rhizophagus intraradices and Mycorrhiza Helper Bacteria in Enhancing Carbendazim Degradation and Soybean Growth Under Hydroponic and Soil Systems
by Tianzhao Guan, Yuying Lin, Yueqin Peng, Jingping Ge, Weiguang Jie and Wenxiang Ping
Plants 2026, 15(12), 1833; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15121833 (registering DOI) - 13 Jun 2026
Abstract
Soybean is a critical economic, oil and industrial raw material crop, yet its production is often hindered by pathogen infection and pesticide residues. This study explored the synergistic effects of Rhizophagus intraradices and mycorrhizal helper bacteria (MHB) on AMF colonization, AMF spore density, [...] Read more.
Soybean is a critical economic, oil and industrial raw material crop, yet its production is often hindered by pathogen infection and pesticide residues. This study explored the synergistic effects of Rhizophagus intraradices and mycorrhizal helper bacteria (MHB) on AMF colonization, AMF spore density, total number of bacterial colonies, soybean growth, root rot disease index, and carbendazim residues. Hydroponic and pot experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with five biological replicates per treatment; after 30 days of growth, three replicates were randomly selected for all measurements. Results showed that inoculation with microbial agents, particularly co-inoculation, increased soybean biomass, reduced disease index, and decreased carbendazim residues. In the hydroponic experiment, co-inoculation increased plant height, aboveground fresh weight, and underground dry weight by 64.28%, 78.13%, and 109.09%, respectively, and decreased carbendazim residues by 71.84% relative to the carbendazim-alone group. In the pot experiment, co-inoculation reduced carbendazim residues by 81.25% and root rot disease index by 45.56% compared with the carbendazim-alone group. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation (p < 0.001) between carbendazim degradation in hydroponic and pot systems, indicating stable degradation function across environments. Co-inoculation of R. intraradices and MHB synergistically promotes soybean growth, suppresses root rot, and reduces carbendazim residues, providing a theoretical basis for developing functional microbial inoculants for safe and green soybean production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Plant Biostimulants for Agricultural Sustainability: Progress and Challenges)
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15 pages, 1902 KB  
Article
Dual Role of Bacillus velezensis EM-A8 in Maize: Biocontrol of Exserohilum Turcicum and Enhancement of Plant Growth
by María Fiamma Grossi Vanacore, Melina Sartori, Francisco Giordanino, Germán Barros and Daiana García
Plants 2025, 14(22), 3464; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223464 - 13 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 810
Abstract
Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), caused by Exserohilum turcicum, is a major foliar disease of maize worldwide. To develop sustainable alternatives that reduce chemical products, we evaluated Bacillus velezensis EM-A8 (GenBank accession number OL704805) as a biocontrol agent under greenhouse and field [...] Read more.
Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), caused by Exserohilum turcicum, is a major foliar disease of maize worldwide. To develop sustainable alternatives that reduce chemical products, we evaluated Bacillus velezensis EM-A8 (GenBank accession number OL704805) as a biocontrol agent under greenhouse and field conditions. The aims of this study were as follows: (i) characterize phytohormone production in two formulations containing the BCA; (ii) assess the influence of the BCA on plant biomass and yield; (iii) compare the efficacy of both formulations in controlling NCLB under field conditions; and (iv) determine whether the treatments affected salicylic acid and phenolic compound levels in maize tissues. The strain synthesized a broad spectrum of phytohormones, including salicylic acid, indoleacetic acid, indolebutyric acid, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid and gibberellic acid, as well as cytokinins such as kinetin, zeatin, and 6-benzylaminopurine. Foliar application increased maize dry biomass by 30%. In field trials, both formulations effectively suppressed NCLB, reducing the number of symptomatic leaves by 25–50% compared with controls. Furthermore, treated plants exhibited yield increases exceeding 1000 kg/ha. These findings demonstrate that B. velezensis EM-A8 provides effective biocontrol of E. turcicum while simultaneously enhancing maize growth and yield under field conditions. Future work should aim to scale up the use of B. velezensis EM-A8 in integrated pest management programs and evaluate its long-term impact on soil microbiota, plant health, and yield sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Plant Biostimulants for Agricultural Sustainability: Progress and Challenges)
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17 pages, 1722 KB  
Article
Rhizospheric Bacterial Distribution Influencing the Accumulation of Isoflavones, Phenolics, Flavonoids, and Antioxidant Activity in Soybean Roots Within Hydroponic System
by Du Yong Cho, Mu Yeun Jang, Hee Yul Lee, Jong Bin Jeong, Da Hyun Kim, Do Yun Bang, Hye Rim Kim, Ye Rim Jeong, Md. Azizul Haque, Jin Hwan Lee and Kye Man Cho
Plants 2025, 14(14), 2238; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14142238 - 19 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1461
Abstract
This study investigates how root color in soybeans affects isoflavone composition, rhizosphere bacterial diversity, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity under a hydroponic cultivation system. Notably, soybean-brown roots (SBRs) accumulated significantly higher contents of isoflavones, exhibiting approximately a 14.9-fold increase in total [...] Read more.
This study investigates how root color in soybeans affects isoflavone composition, rhizosphere bacterial diversity, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity under a hydroponic cultivation system. Notably, soybean-brown roots (SBRs) accumulated significantly higher contents of isoflavones, exhibiting approximately a 14.9-fold increase in total glycosides (141.75 to 2121.59 µg/g), 7.3-fold increase in total malonyl-β-glycosides (127.52 to 930.45 µg/g), 2.8-fold increase in total aglycones (1825.90 to 5145.21 µg/g), and 3.9-fold increase in total isoflavones (2095.16 to 8197.26 µg/g) than soybean-white roots (SWRs). Isolated rhizosphere bacteria profiling revealed γ-Proteobacteria as the predominant class in both root types, constituting 77.6% and 73.9% of the bacterial community in SWRs and SBRs, respectively. However, SBRs supported a more diverse bacterial ecosystem, harboring thirteen genera compared to only eight genera in SWRs. Enhanced total phenolics, total flavonoids, and radical scavenging activity were also associated with the SBRs. These findings shed light on the dynamic interplay between root traits, bacterial interactions, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis in hydroponically grown soybeans. This work not only advances our understanding of plant root–microbiome–metabolite relationships but also offers a novel approach to exploring the potential of enhancing secondary metabolites in soybean plants through precision cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Plant Biostimulants for Agricultural Sustainability: Progress and Challenges)
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27 pages, 3569 KB  
Article
Impact of a Soil Cyanobacteria Consortium-Based Bioinoculant on Tomato Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality
by Zineb Hakkoum, Farah Minaoui, Zakaria Tazart, Amer Chabili, Mountasser Douma, Khadija Mouhri and Mohammed Loudiki
Plants 2025, 14(13), 2034; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14132034 - 2 Jul 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2386
Abstract
Cyanobacteria-based bioinoculants represent a sustainable solution for enhancing soil fertility and crop productivity. This research assessed the biofertilizing potential of two indigenous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria strains (Nostoc punctiforme Har. and Anabaena cylindrica Lemmerm.) on tomato growth and yield. A greenhouse experiment was conducted [...] Read more.
Cyanobacteria-based bioinoculants represent a sustainable solution for enhancing soil fertility and crop productivity. This research assessed the biofertilizing potential of two indigenous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria strains (Nostoc punctiforme Har. and Anabaena cylindrica Lemmerm.) on tomato growth and yield. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study their effects on soil properties, plant growth and physiology, and fruit yield/quality. The strains were applied individually, as a consortium, or combined with organic or mineral fertilizers at half the standard dose (50%). All bioinoculants improved soil fertility, plant growth, and fruit yield/quality compared to the control. The most significant improvement was observed in the consortium amended with 50% of conventional fertilizer (compost or NPK), compared with individual strains. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between photosynthetic pigments, plant productivity, and fruit biochemical traits, indicating coordinated physiological responses under the applied treatments. The results demonstrated that the consortium of diazotrophic terrestrial cyanobacteria possesses tomato biofertilizer properties that can be efficiently used in crop production. These findings suggest that such formulations offer a cost-effective approach to tomato cultivation and present a sustainable alternative for integrated and optimized fertilizer management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Plant Biostimulants for Agricultural Sustainability: Progress and Challenges)
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Review

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29 pages, 1924 KB  
Review
Decoding Bacillus spp.: Antimicrobial Diversity, Biocontrol Mechanisms, and Safe Deployment in Plant Disease Management
by Sajad Ali
Plants 2026, 15(12), 1834; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15121834 (registering DOI) - 13 Jun 2026
Abstract
Chemical agents have long been used to control plant diseases, but their effects on the environment and lack of alignment with sustainable development goals are making them gradually unsuitable. One trend in green agriculture is the use of Bacillus species for the biocontrol [...] Read more.
Chemical agents have long been used to control plant diseases, but their effects on the environment and lack of alignment with sustainable development goals are making them gradually unsuitable. One trend in green agriculture is the use of Bacillus species for the biocontrol of plant diseases. Due to their vast metabolic and genetic diversity, Bacillus spp. can contribute significantly to the soil ecosystem, while also enhancing plant resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. Bacillus spp. are widely used in the agrobiotech industry due to their multi-functional versatility and are well-known for protecting plants from numerous plant diseases. In this review, we discussed the diversity and functions of antimicrobial compounds (AMCs) produced by Bacillus spp., along with their roles in plant growth promotion (PGP), and immunity. Furthermore, we highlighted the potential of Bacillus spp. as biopesticides in host plants, ways to enhance their biocontrol efficacy, and also addressed their possibility to cause disease in host plants. Considering the beneficial impacts of Bacillus spp. on PGP and pathogen biocontrol and their disease-causing capability, we discussed the possible solutions for a safe development of Bacillus-based biocontrol agent (BCA). Collectively, these insights can guide the selection of Bacillus strains with broad-spectrum or target-specific activity against pathogens, ensuring minimal adverse effects on the host. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Plant Biostimulants for Agricultural Sustainability: Progress and Challenges)
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21 pages, 1806 KB  
Review
Photosynthetic Microorganisms in Plant Growth Promotion and Stress Response: Proposed Organisms with In Silico Validation
by Olga Dimitra Asvesta, Eleni Kotsadam, Evangelia Mouchtaropoulou and Anagnostis Argiriou
Plants 2026, 15(11), 1634; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111634 - 26 May 2026
Viewed by 274
Abstract
The transition towards sustainable agri-food systems necessitates the development of effective and technologically advanced biofertilizers and biostimulants capable of reducing reliance on synthetic agrochemicals while enhancing crop productivity. Photosynthetic microorganisms, including cyanobacteria and microalgae, represent promising biological platforms owing to their extensive metabolic [...] Read more.
The transition towards sustainable agri-food systems necessitates the development of effective and technologically advanced biofertilizers and biostimulants capable of reducing reliance on synthetic agrochemicals while enhancing crop productivity. Photosynthetic microorganisms, including cyanobacteria and microalgae, represent promising biological platforms owing to their extensive metabolic potential, their ability to synthesize high-value bioactive compounds, and, in certain cases, their capacity for atmospheric nitrogen fixation. These properties make them particularly valuable for enhancing plant growth and improving tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, a systematic review was conducted to identify diverse cyanobacterial and microalgal taxa with demonstrated roles in plant growth promotion and stress mitigation through multiple mechanisms and adaptive traits. A subset of these microorganisms was subsequently curated into a targeted database and subjected to bioinformatics analyses, leading to the identification of key metabolic pathways associated with stress response and plant growth promotion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Plant Biostimulants for Agricultural Sustainability: Progress and Challenges)
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