Search Results (670)

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient that plays a critical role in plant growth, development, and productivity. However, limited soil phosphorus availability can reduce crop performance in maize (Zea mays L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Native phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) convert insoluble P forms into plant-accessible forms. The aim of this study was to select efficient plant growth promotion native PSB to be used as a biological input in the development of sustainable biotechnological biofertilizers. For this, the effects of the inoculation of PSB isolates on maize and peanut’s phosphorus uptake, growth, and yield were evaluated. The assays were developed both under controlled greenhouse conditions and in field trials. Inoculation with native PSB strains significantly enhanced the plant growth and increased the phosphorus content of maize and peanut by 38–58% and 49.6%, respectively. These effects became evident earlier in the peanut than in maize. In field trials, inoculation with Serratia sp. S119 without chemical fertilizer application significantly increased maize yield. In conclusion, native PSB strains significantly promote plant growth, enhance phosphorus acquisition, and improve crop yield. The use of Serratia sp. S119 as a phosphate biofertilizer represents a promising strategy to reduce chemical fertilizer inputs and to promote more sustainable agricultural systems. Full article

The excessive proliferation of aquatic macrophytes in Brazilian reservoirs generates large amounts of biomass that must be removed to ensure water use and energy generation. This material is usually treated as waste, but its recycling as a biofertilizer could mitigate disposal problems while improving soil and crop productivity. To test this potential, we conducted a 4 × 3 factorial experiment using four macrophyte species (Salvinia auriculata Aubl., Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc., Egeria densa Planch. and Pistia stratiotes L.) collected from the Santana Reservoir, applied at three incorporation doses (5, 10 and 20 t ha⁻¹ dry matter) plus a control in pots with Urochloa decumbens seedlings. Soil chemical properties and plant growth attributes were integrated into the relative Soil Quality Score (rSQS) and relative Plant Performance Score (rPPS). Both scores increased with macrophyte incorporation, though responses depended on species and dose. A significant positive relationship was found between rSQS and rPPS (R² = 0.73; $\rho$ = 0.85), indicating that improvements in integrated soil quality were generally associated with better plant performance. While most treatments improved score values, ELDDE at 20 t ha⁻¹ showed a further increase in rSQS but no proportional gain in rPPS, which was numerically lower than at 10 t ha⁻¹ but not statistically different. This pattern indicates that increases in integrated soil quality may not always translate linearly into plant performance. These results support the potential of selected macrophyte materials as organic amendments and highlight the need for biomass characterization, contaminant monitoring and field validation before practical recommendation. Full article

The red macroalga Kappaphycus alvarezii, widely cultivated for carrageenan extraction, has emerged as a promising blue economy resource of bioactive compounds for sustainable agriculture. However, knowledge regarding the composition, mechanisms of action, agronomic effects, and large-scale applicability of K. alvarezii-based products remains fragmented. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the potential of K. alvarezii and its by-products for the development of agricultural bioinputs, addressing species diversity, cultivation practices, chemical characterization of bioactive compounds, and their agronomic applications. Literature evidence indicates that K. alvarezii biomass is rich in sulfated polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, photoprotective pigments, fatty acids, and metabolites with hormone-like activity, which have been associated with enhanced plant growth, increased photosynthetic efficiency, and improved tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, resulting in productivity gains in crops such as rice, maize, sugarcane, soybean, and vegetables. In addition, biomass represents a potential source of potassium and micronutrients that can complement conventional fertilization. Recent technological advances, as well as regulatory aspects and challenges related to the integration of these products into the global agricultural market, are also discussed. Overall, the evidence highlights the potential of K. alvarezii as a renewable resource for the development of innovative agricultural bioinputs, as biofertilizers and plant biostimulants. Full article

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is one of the most destructive soilborne pathogens affecting tomato production, reducing plant growth and yield and highlighting the need for sustainable management alternatives. Streptomyces spp. are promising microbial candidates due to their ability to combine antifungal activity with plant growth promotion characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biofertilizer and antifungal potential of Streptomyces spp. in Chonto tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) under greenhouse conditions. Seventy actinobacterial strains were screened in vitro against F. oxysporum, and eight exhibited significant antagonistic activity. Based on antagonistic activity, enzymatic profile, cytotoxicity, and plant growth-promoting potential, strains 1B260 and 445 were selected for greenhouse assays. Strain 1B260 achieved 43.5% mycelial growth inhibition and showed the highest phosphate-solubilizing capacity (420 µg/mL), while both strains displayed proteolytic and cellulolytic activity, low cytotoxicity in human skin cell lines (HaCaT and HDFa), nitrogen fixation, and ammonia production. In greenhouse assays under non-infected conditions, 1B260 showed the most consistent biofertilizer effect, promoting stem elongation. Under pathogen pressure, strain 445 improved plant performance compared to the infected control. Overall, strains 1B260 and 445 exhibited complementary roles in tomato crop management, highlighting the potential of multifunctional Streptomyces inoculants for sustainable biofertilization and biocontrol strategies. Full article

In arid and semi-arid regions, severe salinity imposes strong abiotic constraints on farmland restoration. This study evaluated the one-season effects of organic amendments on soil quality, maize productivity, and short-term ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) responses under severe salinity stress. We conducted a field experiment with biofertilizer (targeting plant–soil biological regulation) and composted manure (targeting direct soil amelioration) applied at different rates. The high-rate composted manure treatment (T6) showed the largest short-term improvements: compared with the chemical-fertilizer-only control under the same irrigation and plastic-mulch management (CK; soil quality index (SQI) = 0.716, yield = 6.657 t ha⁻¹, EMF_a = 0.456), SQI increased by 165%, maize yield increased by 41%, and EMF_a increased by 104% relative to CK within one growing season. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) suggested that under biofertilizer treatments, a plant-related association pathway was observed but relatively weak (β = 0.215), whereas under composted manure treatments, EMF variation was mainly associated with soil quality improvement (β = 0.992). Overall, these short-term results suggest that, under the tested application rates and severe salinity stress, high-rate composted manure can more effectively improve baseline soil conditions than biofertilizers during the initial season. These findings offer a preliminary conceptual perspective for a phased management strategy, serving strictly as a preliminary hypothesis where priority is given to soil amelioration in the initial phase and gradual integration of biologically oriented interventions as baseline conditions improve. However, future multi-year and multi-site studies are strictly required to validate the long-term viability of this proposed framework and to test whether these association patterns persist across longer time scales and broader regional contexts. Full article

In this study, nine strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with multiple growth-promoting functions were isolated and screened from the rhizosphere of plants (Phragmites communis, Triglochin maritimum, and Alhagi maurorum) in the arid and barren regions of Western China. These strains belong to five genera: Klebsiella, Bacillus, Serratia, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium. The growth-promoting characteristics of these nine strains (PAP4, PA35, AC12, ACP1, AC25, TP7, TP8, TP12, and TP14) were analyzed. Furthermore, the growth-promoting potential of these PGPR strains was comprehensively evaluated through plate and pot experiments using Arabidopsis thaliana and alfalfa. The results indicate that most strains possess the ability to fix nitrogen and secrete zeatin and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). Some strains exhibited significant traits such as phosphate solubilization, siderophore secretion, and the production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). All strains showed high salt tolerance (0–8% NaCl) and were induced to secrete more EPS under salt stress. Plate experiments demonstrated that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the nine strains significantly promoted the root development of Arabidopsis thaliana and optimized its root architecture. Pot experiments revealed that inoculation with single strains influenced the growth of alfalfa to varying degrees; among them, strain TP14 showed the best performance, increasing plant height and shoot dry weight by 44.7% and 51.2%, respectively. Regarding microbial consortia, the combinations BD (PAP4 + TP14), ABC (PA35 + PAP4 + AC25), and ABCD (PA35 + PAP4 + AC25 + TP14) significantly improved the biomass, plant height, and stem diameter of alfalfa. The superior strains and their combinations identified in this study effectively promote plant growth. These high-performing PGPR strains provide valuable microbial resources for the development of bio-fertilizers tailored for saline–alkali and barren regions in Western China. Full article

Saline ecosystems, including saline lakes, are indeed major hotbeds of microbial novelty, harboring diverse and largely unexplored microbes. The sebkha of Lake Naïla (Morocco), an ecologically protected area registered under the Ramsar Convention in 1998, remains largely unexplored. Isolation using three different selective media enabled seven phenotypically distinct actinobacterial isolates to be obtained. Molecular characterization, based on 16S RNA gene sequencing, was used to identify strains as members of the genera Streptomyces, Nocardiopsis, and Prauserella. Three strains showed antimicrobial potential against pathogenic microorganisms, with Streptomyces sp. strain 43 exhibiting the most potent effects. Additionally, all isolates displayed plant-growth-promoting (PGP) traits, including phosphate solubilization, auxin (IAA) synthesis, siderophore secretion, and ammonia production. Notably, Nocardiopsis sp. strain 42 produced the highest IAA levels (282 μg/mL), while Streptomyces sp. strain 39, Streptomyces sp. strain 43, and Streptomyces sp. strain 48 excelled in phosphate solubilization. GC-MS profiling of Streptomyces sp. strain 43 revealed a complex metabolite repertoire, including 1,2-propanediol and nonanal, highlighting the strain’s versatile secondary metabolism. These findings highlight that the sebkha of Lake Naïla represents a rich source of halophilic actinobacteria with promising dual potential for antimicrobial and biofertilizer applications. The findings provide a solid basis for new perspectives on biotechnology applications and sustainable agriculture. Full article

This study evaluates the scalability and sustainability impacts of integrating Napier grass cultivation with biofertilizer production and dairy systems in rural West Bengal. Field-level evidence indicates that biofertilizer application and irrigation optimization significantly enhance soil organic carbon (SOC), improving nutrient availability and enabling Napier yields of up to 500 tons/acre on fallow land. A technoeconomic model shows strong economies of scale, with production costs decreasing by 40% when area under cultivation is simulated from 1 acre to 100 acres. Statewide scaling scenarios demonstrate significant development potential. Under 10% adoption of fallow land by 2040, approximately 75 million tons of biomass can be grown annually, benefiting 3.75 million households, doubling under a 20% adoption scenario by 2050. The system enables a 2.5–4× increase in household income while delivering substantial climate co-benefits. Avoided emissions from manure management are estimated at ~40 Mt CO₂ annually by 2040, increasing to ~80 Mt CO₂ by 2050, alongside additional gains from soil carbon sequestration and reduced high-emission urea-use. Overall, the proposed circular model offers a scalable pathway for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals through integrated agricultural transformation. Full article

Climate change, soil degradation, and the disruption of global nutrient cycles are placing unprecedented pressure on agricultural systems and global food security. These challenges are increasingly recognized as central concerns for planetary health, as agriculture simultaneously depends upon and alters critical Earth system processes. Microbe-based agricultural inputs (including biofertilizers, biostimulants, and biocontrol agents) have been widely promoted as climate-smart solutions capable of enhancing productivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability. However, despite rapid scientific and commercial advances, their performance in the field remains highly variable and strongly context-dependent. This review critically examines the evidence base underpinning climate-smart microbial solutions, with a particular focus on their capacity to confer climate resilience across diverse crops, soils, and climatic conditions. We synthesize current knowledge on the functional roles of beneficial microorganisms, including extremophilic and stress-adapted taxa, while highlighting key biological, technological, ecological, and socio-economic constraints that limit predictability and scalability. Special attention is given to evidence gaps related to long-term field performance, ecosystem-level impacts, and the trade-offs associated with widespread microbial deployment. We further assess recent innovations such as synthetic microbial consortia, microbiome engineering, advanced formulations, and data-driven decision tools. Then we highlight how these new technologies may address context dependency but still need validation under real-world conditions. Finally, we discuss policy, regulatory, and capacity-building considerations required to responsibly integrate microbial solutions into climate-smart agriculture frameworks. Overall, this review argues that microbial inoculants should be viewed not as universal inputs but as context-specific tools whose successful deployment depends on robust evidence, ecological sensitivity, and system-level integration. Advancing microbial solutions for agriculture will therefore require aligning technological innovation with broader planetary health objectives, ensuring that efforts to enhance agricultural productivity also support long-term ecosystem stability and resilience. Full article

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

Cheese production generates large volumes of whey, and high-strength wastewater with elevated organic load, salinity, and nutrient content. Although whey contains valuable components including lactose, proteins, and minerals, approximately half of global production remains underutilized, contributing to eutrophication and oxygen depletion in aquatic ecosystems. Conventional physicochemical and biological treatment methods are limited by high operational costs, energy demands, and secondary waste generation. Microalgae-based bioremediation has emerged as a promising sustainable strategy for whey valorization, enabling simultaneous nutrient removal and biomass production. Through a focused review of the current literature, this study analyzes microalgal strains commonly applied in whey remediation, their cultivation modes (photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic), nutrient uptake mechanisms, and operational conditions. The review highlights cultivation systems, biomass recovery techniques, and potential conversion of microalgal biomass into high value bioproducts, including biofuels, pigments, proteins, and biofertilizers. Critically, a major research gap exists: no studies systematically examine whey-grown microalgal biomass for bioplastic or film production, despite its elevated polysaccharide and protein content. Future development requires integrated biorefinery approaches, optimized cultivation strategies, and supportive policy frameworks to enable large-scale circular economy implementation within the dairy industry. Full article

Cyanobacterial species in the Arabian Peninsula region display a diverse range of potential biotechnological application. This review summarizes the cyanobacteria diversity found in the Peninsula region, the bioactive compounds found in these species, and the several health benefits and applications. The Arabian Peninsula region comprises a wide range of cyanobacteria with representatives from the orders Oscillatoriales, Chroococcales, Stigonematales, and Nostocales. These microorganisms produce specialized metabolites such as photosynthetic pigments, pigment–protein complexes, lipopeptides, phenolic compounds, and unique secondary metabolites. Many of the metabolites offer beneficial biological functions including antioxidants, antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory antiviral, and neuroprotective ones. In addition to the medical-related practices, cyanobacteria in the Peninsula region might have several other applications. Other probable uses include their potential bioremediation capability to remove pollutants or heavy metals, as a potential biohydrogen source for renewable energy, and as biofertilizers and soil enhancement to support sustainable agriculture; other useful applications include bioplastics production (polyhydroxyalkanoates), soil microbiota improvement, and methane reduction. The review highlights the potential diverse biotechnological applications of Arabian Peninsula cyanobacteria toward bioremediation, bioplastics, ecosystem regeneration, biofertilizers, bioenergy, and agro-sustainability, as well as human health. This review highlights the importance of the further exploration and exploitation of these resourceful microorganisms for sustainable development in the Arabian Peninsula region. Full article

Global population growth poses major challenges to agricultural systems, demanding more efficient strategies to secure food production. Conventional approaches have relied heavily on chemical inputs; however, their overuse disrupts ecosystems, threatens biodiversity, and undermines human and environmental health. To ensure sustainable productivity, it is essential to explore alternative approaches that leverage microbial functions to enhance plant growth and resilience. Bacteria are among the most abundant soil microorganisms, playing central roles in biogeochemical cycles and plant health. While well-studied phyla such as Pseudomonadota, Actinomycetota, and Bacillota have been widely applied as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents, members of the phylum Bacteroidota remain comparatively understudied despite being consistently abundant in plant-associated microbiomes. This review synthesizes current knowledge on Bacteroidota, highlighting their taxonomy, ecological diversity, contributions to nutrient cycling, and mechanisms that promote plant growth, as well as biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. We also discuss the limitations that hinder their application, particularly challenges in cultivation and isolation, and outline future research directions to harness their potential for sustainable agriculture. Full article

The increasing need to reduce agrochemicals has intensified the search for sustainable alternatives in crop production. Insect frass, a by-product of insect rearing, has recently emerged as a promising organic fertilizer. In the present study, the effects of Tenebrio molitor frass (TMF) on plant growth and productivity were evaluated in three vegetable crops, cucumber (cv. Aisopos), pepper (cv. Lamuyo), and lettuce (cv. Paris Island), under greenhouse conditions. Experimental plants were grown in pots under two substrate fertility levels (fertilized and non-fertilized peat, hereafter referred to as “rich” and “poor” soil) and received TMF at two rates (1% and 2% w/w), applied either once or twice. Plant height and weight, fruit number and weight, and total production per plant were recorded. TMF application, applied as a soil amendment, enhanced plant growth and yield of the treated plants compared to the control, although the magnitude and consistency of the response varied among crops, soil types, and measured parameters. A clear dose-dependent response was not observed, as the 2% rate did not consistently outperform the 1% rate. Likewise, splitting the same total amount of TMF into two applications did not significantly improve plant performance. The response to the TMF application varied among crops in terms of growth and yield parameters. Lettuce recorded the strongest response, while cucumber and pepper exhibited more moderate improvements. Notably, TMF significantly increased growth and productivity even at the lowest application rates under poor soil conditions. These findings demonstrate that TMF is a promising low-input organic fertilizer under the tested conditions and highlight the importance of optimizing application rate and strategy for sustainable vegetable production. Full article

Alsophila spinulosa is a tree fern designated as a second-class nationally protected species in China and valued for its medicinal and ornamental properties. Its slow growth and susceptibility to environmental stresses pose challenges to its cultivation. Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can enhance plant development by producing phytohormones, such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In this study, 39 IAA-producing strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of A. spinulosa. Morphological and molecular analyses identified the highest IAA-producing strain, R74, as Burkholderia pyrrocinia. Its optimal inoculum age was determined to be 12–20 h, and its optimal culture conditions for IAA production were 24 h of incubation, 32 °C and pH 7.0. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the genome of strain R74 is 8,347,169 bp in size with a GC content of 67%, comprising 7543 genetic elements. Further genomic analysis showed that IAA biosynthesis in R74 involves the tryptophan side-chain oxidase (TSO) pathway and the tryptophan-independent pathway. Pot experiments revealed that inoculation with R74 increased the height, root length, stem diameter, and biomass of A. spinulosa seedlings. It also increased antioxidant enzyme activities, elevated soluble protein and chlorophyll contents, and reduced malondialdehyde levels. This study provides an empirical basis for the development of Burkholderia-based biofertilizers to promote A. spinulosa growth. Full article