Submit to Plants Review for Plants Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 17541

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mohamed Anli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Patsy University Center, University of Comoros, Moroni, Comoros
2. Laboratory of Agro-Food, Biotechnology and Valorization of Plant Bioresources (AGROBIOVAL), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University (CAU), Marrakesh, Morocco
Interests: organic and biological fertilizers; plants stress tolerance; biotic and abiotic stresses; plant-growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM); arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; bacteria of soils
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Raja Ben-Laouane

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Laboratory of Environment and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences & Techniques, Moulay Ismail University, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
Interests: biotic and abiotic stresses; plant stress response; biofertilizers/biostimulants; PGPR; rhizobia; compost; AMF; salinity; drought; biochar
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Abderrahim Boutasknit

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Laboratory of Agro-Food, Biotechnologies & Valorization of Plant Bioresources (AGROBIOVAL), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University (UCA), Marrakesh, Morocco
Interests: organic amendments; plant physiology; environmental stresses; plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF); arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; compost process and preparation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A Special Issue entitled “Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth” will be published in Plants. Beneficial microorganisms (BMS) and their potential positive impacts have garnered widespread interest in the agricultural sector. Indeed, BMs play a significant role in plant growth, development and protection. Nevertheless, and with regard to the agro-biological approach, it is of utmost importance to emphasize that BMs are not plant-growth stimulators, but they also have the capacity to protect plants and soils against environmental stresses such as diseases, drought, salinity and soil poverty. In recent decades, the importance of BMs as natural biostimulants/biofertilizers has been evaluated, which also highlighted their potential in plant growth and soil fertilization. On the other hand, given the high global food demand, the use of BMs is a major asset for sustainable development in agriculture. The current developments and difficulties in developing novel beneficial microorganism formulations for growth promotion and plant protection are addressed in this study topic. Original research articles, reviews, and methodologies are welcome contributions.

Dr. Mohamed Anli
Dr. Raja Ben-Laouane
Dr. Abderrahim Boutasknit
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

plant growth promoting microorganisms
plant physiology
biostimulants/biofertilizers
crop production
crop protection
soil-beneficial microorganisms
organic agriculture
climate change
environmental stresses

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.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (8 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 2070 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Effect of Subsurface Water Retention Technology and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth, Physiology and Biochemistry of Argan Seedlings under Field Conditions

by Boujemaa Fassih, Mohamed Ait-El-Mokhtar, Aicha Nait Douch, Abderrahim Boutasknit, Raja Ben-Laouane, Badia Aganchich and Said Wahbi

Plants 2024, 13(15), 2098; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152098 - 29 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2262

Abstract

The argan (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) ecosystem is severely degrading in arid and semi-arid lands due to climate change, particularly in terms of density loss and reforestation failure. Thus, it is important to adopt innovative effective sustainable practices to optimize the densification and reforestation success of the argan tree. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the combined effect of subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) and the use of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on edaphic, growth, physiological and biochemical parameters of field-grown argan seedlings in the Essaouira region, Morocco. In this experiment, one-year-old argan seedlings were transplanted in the absence and presence of biodegradable plastic and AMF. Our findings revealed that the application of SWRT enhanced soil profile moisture up to 640% at 40 cm depth compared to the control. The combination of this technology with AMF also improved soil fertility. Furthermore, the application of SWRT, with or without AMF, significantly enhanced argan seedling height (208 and 168%, respectively), stomatal conductance (54 and 33%, respectively), and chlorophyll fluorescence (21 and 20%, respectively). Similarly, the combined application of SWRT and AMF significantly improved protein and sugar content (36 and 57%, respectively), as well as antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) and chlorophyll pigments content compared to the control. However, this treatment reduced malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ content in the argan leaves. As a summary, SWRT technology combined with AMF may be used as a valuable strategy to promote the success of argan reforestation and to limit soil erosion and desertification in arid and semi-arid climates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 2499 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Co-Inoculation Effect on Triticum aestivum Growth with Synthetic Microbial Communities (SynComs) and Their Potential in Agrobiotechnology

by Raimonda Mažylytė, Jurgita Kailiuvienė, Edita Mažonienė, Liana Orola, Justina Kaziūnienė, Kamilė Mažylytė, Eglė Lastauskienė and Audrius Gegeckas

Plants 2024, 13(12), 1716; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121716 - 20 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1899

Abstract

The use of rhizospheric SynComs can be a new and sustainable strategy in the agrobiotechnology sector. The objective of this study was to create the most appropriate SynCom composition; examine the ability to dissolve natural rock phosphate (RP) from Morocco in liquid-modified NBRIP medium; determine organic acids, and phytohormones; and verify plant growth promoting and nutrition uptake effect in the pot experiments of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). A total of nine different microorganisms were isolated, which belonged to three different genera: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Streptomyces. Out of the 21 treatments tested, four SynComs had the best phosphate-dissolving properties: IJAK-27+44+91 (129.17 mg L⁻¹), IIBEI-32+40 (90.95 µg mL⁻¹), IIIDEG-45+41 (122.78 mg L⁻¹), and IIIDEG-45+41+72 (120.78 mg L⁻¹). We demonstrate that these SynComs are capable of producing lactic, acetic, gluconic, malic, oxalic, citric acids, and phytohormones such as indole-3-acetic acid, zeatin, gibberellic acid, and abscisic acid. In pot experiments with winter wheat, we also demonstrated that the designed SynComs were able to effectively colonize the plant root rhizosphere and contributed to more abundant plant growth characteristics and nutrient uptake as uninoculated treatment or uninoculated treatment with superphosphate (NPK 0-19-0). The obtained results show that the SynCom compositions of IJAK-27+44+91, IIBEI-32+40, IIIDEG-45+41, and IIIDEG-45+41+72 can be considered as promising candidates for developing biofertilizers to facilitate P absorption and increase plant nutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1752 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of Horse Manure Vermicompost Doses and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi to Improve Fruit Quality, and Soil Fertility in Tomato Field Facing Drought Stress

by Soufiane Lahbouki, Abeer Hashem, Ajay Kumar, Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah and Abdelilah Meddich

Plants 2024, 13(11), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13111449 - 23 May 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1881

Abstract

Climate change poses major challenges for agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions, with drought conditions severely affecting water-intensive crops such as tomatoes. This study evaluates the efficacy of organic amendments, derived from horse manure, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on enhancing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit quality and soil health under semi-arid field conditions. The experimental design included two irrigation regimes (well-watered and drought stress) and two levels of vermicompost application (C1 5 t ha⁻¹ and C2 10 t ha⁻¹), applied individually or in combination with AMF. The results indicate that drought stress reduced tomato fruit growth and yield, while osmoprotectant accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activity, and bioactive compound levels increased, and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of tomato fruit also increased. Notably, the biostimulants application, especially (C1+AMF), counteracted the adverse effects of drought, compared to the control, by significantly enhancing fruit yields (60%), as well as increasing ascorbic acid levels (59%) and free amino acids content (90%). These treatments also improved the activity of bioactive compounds and nutrient uptake in the fruit. Furthermore, biostimulant application positively affected the physicochemical properties of soil. The results obtained confirm that the application of biostimulants can be suitable for improving crop sustainability and adaptability under conditions of water stress in semi-arid field regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2908 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Network of Soil Fungi and the Microfauna Community under Diverse Anthropic Disturbances under Chrysopogon zizanioides Planting in the Reservoir

by Xiaoyue Lin, Xuemei Han, Jiading Yang, Fengyu Liu, Yuying Li and Zhaojin Chen

Plants 2024, 13(3), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030393 - 29 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1480

Abstract

The reservoir coastal zone is the transitional zone between the terrestrial ecosystem and the aquatic ecosystem. Soil is an essential part of the terrestrial ecosystem and vital for life on Earth. To understand the composition and diversity of the soil eukaryotic microbial community under the background of artificial planting of Chrysopogon zizanioides in various habitats after reservoir construction, including the original habitat (OH), the hydro-fluctuation belt (HB), and the road slope (RS), and to analyze the interaction between the main groups of eukaryotic microorganisms, this study conducted 18S rDNA amplification high-throughput sequencing of the soil eukaryotic microbial community. The study found that the dominant phylum of eukaryotic microorganisms in the three habitats was consistent, but there were significant differences in the community and diversity of eukaryotic microorganisms in the three habitats. The differences in fungal communities between sample sites were greater than those of soil microfauna. Correlation analysis showed that nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter were significantly correlated with eukaryotic microbial diversity, with alkaline-hydrolyzed nitrogen and total phosphorus significantly correlated with fungal communities and pH and water content correlated with soil microfauna. Co-occurrence network analysis found that the interactions between fungi and the correlation between fungi and soil microfauna dominated the eukaryotic microbial community, and the interactions between eukaryotic microbes in different habitats were dominated by positive correlations. After the construction of the reservoir, the newly formed hydro-fluctuation belt reduced the types of interrelationships between fungi and microfauna compared to the original habitat. The road slope provided protection of the supporting project for the reservoir construction, although there was also planted vegetation. Eukaryotic microbes declined significantly due to the damage to and loss of the organic layer, and the decline in microfauna was the most significant, resulting in a simple structure of the soil food web, which affects the function and stability of the soil ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2647 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ferrous Sulfate-Mediated Control of Phytophthora capsici Pathogenesis and Its Impact on Pepper Plant

by Gongfu Du, Huang He, Jiali Peng, Xiaoliang Li, Zhaohua Liu, Weixia Liu, Yan Yang and Zhiqiang Qi

Plants 2023, 12(24), 4168; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12244168 - 15 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1840

Abstract

Phytophthora capsici, a destructive fungal pathogen, poses a severe threat to pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) crops worldwide, causing blights that can result in substantial yield losses. Traditional control methods often come with environmental concerns or entail substantial time investments. In this research, we investigate an alternative approach involving ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) application to combat P. capsici and promote pepper growth. We found that FeSO₄ effectively inhibits the growth of P. capsici in a dose-dependent manner, disrupting mycelial development and diminishing pathogenicity. Importantly, FeSO₄ treatment enhances the biomass and resistance of pepper plants, mitigating P. capsici-induced damage. Microbiome analysis demonstrates that FeSO₄ significantly influences soil microbial communities, particularly fungi, within the pepper root. Metabolomics data reveal extensive alterations in the redox metabolic processes of P. capsici under FeSO₄ treatment, leading to compromised cell membrane permeability and oxidative stress in the pathogen. Our study presents FeSO₄ as a promising and cost-effective solution for controlling P. capsici in pepper cultivation while simultaneously promoting plant growth. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate interactions between iron, pathogen control, and plant health, offering a potential tool for sustainable pepper production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 3052 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Responses of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) to Single and Consortium Bio-Fertilizers in Clay and Newly Reclaimed Soils

by Ghada Abd-Elmonsef Mahmoud, Amany H. A. Abeed, Hassan H. A. Mostafa and Omaima Abdel Monsef

Plants 2023, 12(23), 3931; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12233931 - 22 Nov 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2097

Abstract

The huge development of climatic change highly affects our crop production and soil fertility. Also, the rise in the uncontrolled, excessive use of chemical fertilizers diminishes the soil prosperity and generates pollutants, threatening all environmental life forms, including us. Replacement of these chemical fertilizers with natural ones is becoming an inevitable environmental strategy. In our study, we evaluated the responses of Pisum sativum L. to the action of single species and consortiums of plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus cerkularice) in clay and new reclaimed soil types in terms of phenotype, yield components, and physiological and biochemical responses. Data analysis showed single or consortium microbial inoculation significantly increased the measured traits under clay and calcareous sandy soils compared to the control. Shoot physiological and biochemical activities, and seed biochemical activities were significantly enhanced with the inoculation of pea seeds with three types of bacteria in both soil types. The bud numbers, fresh weight, and seeds’ dry weight increased in seeds treated with A. chroococcum and B. megaterium in the sandy soil. Taken together, these findings suggested that the inoculation of plants with PGP bacteria could be used to diminish the implementation of chemical fertilizer and improve the goodness of agricultural products. These findings expand the understanding of the responsive mechanism of microbial inoculation under different soil types, especially at physiological and biochemical levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Maize Productivity and Soil Health under Salt Stress through Physiological Adaptation and Metabolic Regulation Using Indigenous Biostimulants

by Redouane Ouhaddou, Abdelilah Meddich, Chayma Ikan, Rachid Lahlali, Essaid Ait Barka, Mohammad-Reza Hajirezaei, Robin Duponnois and Marouane Baslam

Plants 2023, 12(21), 3703; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213703 - 27 Oct 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2202

Abstract

Salinity poses a persistent threat to agricultural land, continuously jeopardizing global food security. This study aimed to enhance sweet corn (SC) fitness under varying levels of salinity using indigenous biostimulants (BioS) and to assess their impacts on plant performance and soil quality. The experiment included control (0 mM NaCl), moderate stress (MS; 50 mM NaCl), and severe stress (SS; 100 mM NaCl) conditions. Indigenous biostimulants, including compost (C), Bacillus sp., Bacillus subtilis (R), and a consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (A) were applied either individually or in combination. Growth traits, physiological and biochemical parameters in maize plants, and the physico–chemical properties of their associated soils were assessed. SS negatively affected plant growth and soil quality. The RC combination significantly improved plant growth under SS, increasing aerial (238%) and root (220%) dry weights compared to controls. This treatment reduced hydrogen peroxide by 54% and increased peroxidase activity by 46% compared to controls. The indigenous biostimulants, particularly C and R, enhanced soil structure and mineral composition (K and Mg). Soil organic carbon and available phosphorus increased notably in C-treated soils. Furthermore, RC (437%) and CAR (354%) treatments exhibited a significant increase in glomalin content under SS. Indigenous biostimulants offer a promising strategy to mitigate salinity-related threats to agricultural land. They improve plant fitness, fine-tune metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress. In addition, the biostimulants improved the soil structure and mineral composition, highlighting their potential for reconstitution and sustainability in salt-affected areas. This approach holds promise for addressing salinity-related threats to global food security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 2439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Compost and Phosphorus/Potassium-Solubilizing Fungus Effectively Boosted Quinoa’s Physio-Biochemical Traits, Nutrient Acquisition, Soil Microbial Community, and Yield and Quality in Normal and Calcareous Soils

by Samah M. Youssef, Ahmed Shaaban, Abdelsattar Abdelkhalik, Ahmed R. Abd El Tawwab, Laila R. Abd Al Halim, Laila A. Rabee, Khairiah Mubarak Alwutayd, Reda M. M. Ahmed, Rahaf Alwutayd and Khaulood A. Hemida

Plants 2023, 12(17), 3071; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173071 - 27 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2908

Abstract

Calcareous soil had sufficient phosphorus and potassium (PK) in different forms due to the high contents of PK-bearing minerals; however, the available PK state was reduced due to its PK-fixation capacity. Compost, coupled with high PK solubilization capacity microbes, is a sustainable solution for bioorganic fertilization of plants grown in calcareous soil. A 2-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of compost (20 t ha⁻¹) with Aspergillus niger through soil drenching (C-AN) along with partial substitution of PK fertilization on quinoa performance in normal and calcareous soils. Treatments included PK_100% (72 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ + 60 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ as conventional rate), PK_100%+C-AN, PK_75%+C-AN, PK_50%+C-AN, PK_25%+C-AN, and only C-AN in normal and calcareous soils. Results showed that C-AN and reduced PK fertilization (up to 75 or 50%) increased photosynthetic pigments and promoted nutrient acquisition in quinoa grown in calcareous soil. Reduced PK fertilization to 75 or 50% plus C-AN in calcareous soil increased osmoprotectants, nonenzymatic antioxidants, and DPPH scavenging activity of quinoa’s leaves compared to the PK_0%+C-AN treatment. The integrative application of high PK levels and C-AN enhanced the quinoa’s seed nutritional quality (i.e., lipids, carbohydrates, mineral contents, total phenolics, total flavonoids, half maximal inhibitory concentration, and antiradical power) in calcareous soil. At reduced PK fertilization (up to 75 or 50%), application of compost with Aspergillus niger through soil drenching increased plant dry weight by 38.7 or 53.2%, hectoliter weight by 3.0 or 2.4%, seed yield by 49.1 or 39.5%, and biological yield by 43.4 or 33.6%, respectively, compared to PK_0%+C-AN in calcareous soil. The highest P-solubilizing microorganism’s population was found at PK_0%+C-AN in calcareous soil, while the highest Azotobacter sp. population was observed under high PK levels + C-AN in normal soil. Our study recommends that compost with Aspergillus niger as a bioorganic fertilization treatment can partially substitute PK fertilization and boost quinoa’s tolerance to salt calcareous-affected soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Soil-Beneficial Microorganisms and Plant Growth

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI