Wheat genetic improvement by integration of advanced genomic technologies is one way of improving productivity. To facilitate the breeding of economically important traits in wheat, SNP loci and underlying candidate genes associated with the 36 agro-morphological traits were studied in a diverse panel of 404 genotypes. By using Breeders’ 35K Axiom array in a comprehensive genome-wide association study covering 4364.79 cM of the wheat genome and applying a compressed mixed linear model, a total of 146 SNPs (-log 10 P ≥ 4) were found associated with 23 traits out of 36 traits studied explaining 3.7–47.0% of phenotypic variance. To reveal this a subset of 260 genotypes was characterized phenotypically for six quantitative traits [days to heading (DTH), days to maturity (DTM), plant height (PH), spike length (SL), awn length (Awn_L), and leaf length (Leaf_L)] under five environments. Gene annotations mined ∼38 putative candidate genes which were confirmed using tissue and stage specific gene expression data from RNA Seq. We observed strong co-localized loci for four traits (glume pubescence, SL, PH, and awn color) on chromosome 1B (24.64 cM) annotated five putative candidate genes. This study led to the discovery of hitherto unreported loci for some less explored traits (such as leaf sheath wax, awn attitude, and glume pubescence) besides the refined chromosomal regions of known loci associated with the traits. This study provides valuable information of the genetic loci and their potential genes underlying the traits such as awn characters which are being considered as important contributors toward yield enhancement.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain MF-30 isolated from maize rhizosphere was characterized for several plant growth stimulating attributes. The strain MF-30 was also evaluated for antifungal properties against Rhizoctonia solani causing banded leaf and sheath blight in maize (Zea mays L.) under in vitro conditions and was found to have higher mycelial growth suppression in the culture suspension (67.41%) followed by volatile organic compounds (62.66%) and crude extract (51.20%) in a dual plate assay. The endophytic and epiphytic colonization ability was tested using Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)-tagging. Visualization through confocal scanning laser microscope clearly indicated that strain MF-30 colonizes the root and foliar parts of the plants. Further, the effects of seed bio-priming with P. aeruginosa MF-30 was evaluated in the induction and bioaccumulation of defense-related biomolecules, enzymes, natural antioxidants, and other changes in maize under pot trial. This not only provided protection from R. solani but also ensured growth promotion under pathogenic stress conditions in maize. The maximum concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was reported in the root and shoot of the plants treated with R. solani alone (8.47 and 17.50 mmol mg−1 protein, respectively) compared to bioagent, P. aeruginosa MF-30 bio-primed plants (3.49 and 7.50 mmol mg−1 protein, respectively). Effects on total soluble sugar content, total protein, and total proline were also found to enhanced significantly due to inoculation of P. aeruginosa MF-30. The activities of anti-oxidative defense enzymes phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase increased significantly in the plants bio-primed with P. aeruginosa MF-30 and subsequent foliar spray of culture suspension of MF-30 compared to pathogen alone inoculated plants. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that seed bio-priming and foliar application of P. aeruginosa MF-30 significantly increased the expression of PR-1 and PR-10 genes with the simultaneous decrease in the disease severity and lesion length in the maize plants under pathogenic stress conditions. A significant enhancement of shoot and root biomass was recorded in MF-30 bio-primed plants as compared to untreated control (p < 0.05). Significant increase in plant growth and antioxidant content, as well as decreased disease severity in the P. aeruginosa MF-30 bio-primed plants, suggested the possibility of an eco-friendly and economical means of achieving antioxidants-rich, healthier maize plants.

Under changing climate, soil salinity and sodicity is a limiting factor to crop production and are considered a threat to sustainability in agriculture. A number of attempts are being made to develop microbe-based technologies for alleviation of toxic effects of salts. However, the mechanisms of salt tolerance in agriculturally important crops are not fully understood and still require in-depth study in the backdrop of emerging concepts in biological systems. The present investigation was aimed to decipher the microbe-mediated mechanisms of salt tolerance in maize. Endophytic Pseudomonas geniculate MF-84 was isolated from maize rhizosphere and tagged with green fluorescent protein for localization in the plant system. Confocal microphotographs clearly indicate that MF-84 was localized in the epidermal cells, cortical tissues, endodermis and vascular bundles including proto-xylem, meta-xylem, phloem and bundle sheath. The role of P. geniculate MF-84 in induction and bioaccumulation of soluble sugar, proline and natural antioxidants enzymes in maize plant was investigated which lead not only to growth promotion but also provide protection from salt stress in maize. Results suggested that application of P. geniculate MF-84 reduces the uptake of Na+ and increases uptake of K+ and Ca2+ in maize roots indicative of the role of MF-84 in maintaining ionic balance/homeostasis in the plant roots under higher salt conditions. It not only helps in alleviation of toxic effects of salt but also increases plant growth along with reduction in crop losses due to salinity and sodicity.

Agriculture is a multifarious interface between plants and associated microorganisms. In contemporary agriculture, emphasis is being given to environmentally friendly approaches, particularly in developing countries, to enhance sustainability of the system with the least negative effects on produce quality and quantity. Modern agricultural practices such as extensive tillage, the use of harmful agrochemicals, mono-cropping, etc. have been found to influence soil microbial community structure and soil sustainability. On the other hand, the question of feeding the ever-growing global population while ensuring system sustainability largely remains unanswered. Agriculturally important microorganisms are envisaged to play important roles in various measures to raise a healthy and remunerative crop, including integrated nutrient management, as well as disease and pest management to cut down agrochemicals without compromising the agricultural production. These beneficial microorganisms seem to have every potential to provide an alternative opportunity to overcome the ill effects of various components of traditional agriculture being practiced by and large. Despite an increased awareness of the importance of organically produced food, farmers in developing countries still tend to apply inorganic chemical fertilizers and toxic chemical pesticides beyond the recommended doses. Nutrient uptake enhancement, biocontrol of pests and diseases using microbial inoculants may replace/reduce agrochemicals in agricultural production system. The present review aims to examine and discuss the shift in microbial population structure due to current agricultural practices and focuses on the development of a sustainable agricultural system employing the tremendous untapped potential of the microbial world.

Microorganisms area treasure in terms of theproduction of various bioactive compounds which are being explored in different arenas of applied sciences. In agriculture, microbes and their bioactive compounds are being utilized in growth promotion and health promotion withnutrient fortification and its acquisition. Exhaustive explorations are unraveling the vast diversity of microbialcompounds with their potential usage in solving multiferous problems incrop production. Lipopeptides are one of such microbial compounds which havestrong antimicrobial properties against different plant pathogens. These compounds are reported to be produced by bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and few other microorganisms; however, genus Bacillus alone produces a majority of diverse lipopeptides. Lipopeptides are low molecular weight compounds which havemultiple industrial roles apart from being usedas biosurfactants and antimicrobials. In plant protection, lipopeptides have wide prospects owing totheirpore-forming ability in pathogens, siderophore activity, biofilm inhibition, and dislodging activity, preventing colonization bypathogens, antiviral activity, etc. Microbes with lipopeptides that haveall these actions are good biocontrol agents. Exploring these antimicrobial compounds could widen the vistasof biological pest control for existing and emerging plant pathogens. The broader diversity and strong antimicrobial behavior of lipopeptides could be a boon for dealing withcomplex pathosystems and controlling diseases of greater economic importance. Understanding which and how these compounds modulate the synthesis and production of defense-related biomolecules in the plants is a key question—the answer of whichneeds in-depth investigation. The present reviewprovides a comprehensive picture of important lipopeptides produced by plant microbiome, their isolation, characterization, mechanisms of disease control, behavior against phytopathogens to understand different aspects of antagonism, and potential prospects for future explorations as antimicrobial agents. Understanding and exploring the antimicrobial lipopeptides from bacteria and fungi could also open upan entire new arena of biopesticides for effective control of devastating plant diseases.