Beneficial Soil Microbiomes and Their Potential Role in Plant Growth and Soil Fertility

Abstract

The soil microbiome plays an important role in maintaining soil health, plant productivity, and soil ecosystem services. Current molecular-based studies have shed light on the fact that the soil microbiome has been quantitatively underestimated. In addition to metagenomic studies, metaproteomics and metatranscriptomic studies that target the functional part of the microbiome are becoming more common. These are important for a better understanding of the functional role of the microbiome and for deciphering plant-microbe interactions. Free-living beneficial bacteria that promote plant growth by colonizing plant roots are called plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs). They exert their beneficial effects in different ways, either by facilitating the uptake of nutrients and synthesizing particular compounds for plants or by preventing and protecting plants from diseases. A better understanding of plant-microbe interactions in both natural and agroecosystems will offer us a biotechnological tool for managing soil fertility and obtaining a high-yield food production system.

Valorization of Spent Mushroom Substrate: Establishing the Foundation for Waste-Free Production

“…The intricate dynamics of microbial communities form complex networks, where various interactions occur among microbes. These interactions encompass resource competition, metabolic dependencies, spatial organization, including the production of biofilms, signaling mechanisms, and horizontal gene transfer [57][58][59]. Understanding these multifaceted interactions offers profound insights into the functioning and resilience of ecosystems.…”

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

“…For the past few decades, microorganisms with plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits were isolated and used as inoculants to improve crop health and production. The PGP microorganisms assist plant growth by enhancing nutrient acquisition such as phosphorus and potassium solubilization, nitrogen fixation, ammonia (NH 3 ), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, and siderophore production, and producing plant growth-promoting substances such as phytohormones, enzymes, antibiotics, or ability to induce plant resistance [ 6 ]. Most research focuses on single microorganism application to plants grown as biofertilizers and it should be noted that it happens essentially in sterile conditions [ 7 , 8 ].…”