Cross Talk Between Zinc-Solubilizing Bacteria and Plants: A Short Tale of Bacterial-Assisted Zinc Biofortification

Abstract

A contemporary approach to bacterially mediated zinc (Zn) biofortification offers a new dimension in the crop improvement program with better Zn uptake in plants to curb Zn malnutrition. The implication of Zn solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) represents an inexpensive and optional strategy for Zn biofortification, with an ultimate green solution to enlivening sustainable agriculture. ZSB dwelling in the rhizospheric hub or internal plant tissues shows their competence to solubilize Zn via a variety of strategies. The admirable method is the deposition of organic acids (OAs), which acidify the surrounding soil environment. The secretion of siderophores as a metal chelating molecule, chelating ligands, and the manifestation of an oxidative–reductive system on the bacterial cell membrane are further tactics of bacterially mediated Zn solubilization. The inoculation of plants with ZSB is probably a more effective tactic for enhanced Zn translocation in various comestible plant parts. ZSB with plant growth-enhancing properties can be used as bioelicitors for sustainable plant growth via the different approaches that are crucial for plant health and its productivity. This article provides an overview of the functional properties of ZSB-mediated Zn localization in the edible portions of food crops and provides an impetus to explore such plant probiotics as natural biofortification agents.

Contemplating the role of zinc-solubilizing bacteria in crop biofortification: An approach for sustainable bioeconomy

“…Various biofortification strategies have been described to counteract micronutrient malnutrition (Hussain et al, 2018;Upadhayay et al, 2018). The concept of biofortification is a suitable way to biofortify crops with elevated concentrations of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and selenium (Kamran et al, 2017;Upadhayay et al, 2018;Upadhayay et al, 2022a;Upadhayay et al, 2022b). Selective biofortification strategies include an agronomic approach, genetic engineering, plant breeding, and the application of biostimulants (plant growthpromoting bacterial inoculants) (Upadhayay et al, 2018;Khan et al, 2019;Upadhayay et al, 2022a).…”

“…The concept of biofortification is a suitable way to biofortify crops with elevated concentrations of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and selenium (Kamran et al, 2017;Upadhayay et al, 2018;Upadhayay et al, 2022a;Upadhayay et al, 2022b). Selective biofortification strategies include an agronomic approach, genetic engineering, plant breeding, and the application of biostimulants (plant growthpromoting bacterial inoculants) (Upadhayay et al, 2018;Khan et al, 2019;Upadhayay et al, 2022a). These crop biofortification strategies have been extensively studied and reported to increase the concentration of micronutrients in the edible parts (grains, fruits, and leaves) of plants.…”

“…These crop biofortification strategies have been extensively studied and reported to increase the concentration of micronutrients in the edible parts (grains, fruits, and leaves) of plants. In the agronomic approach of biofortification, the nutrient-rich fertilizers are applied to the foliage part of plants or incorporated directly into the soil (Upadhayay et al, 2022a).…”

“…The zinc (Zn) deficiency problem in food crops can be addressed through the zinc biofortification approach to provide adequate zinc content in multiple edible parts of plants (Upadhayay et al, 2022a;Upadhayay et al, 2022b). Plant zinc uptake sometimes drops due to adverse environmental factors, resulting in reduced plant growth.…”

“…The use of zinc-solubilizing bacteria with diverse abilities to promote plant growth is the current need to increase crop productivity and food security (Hussain et al, 2018). A few studies have explored the outstanding ability of zinc-solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) to increase the zinc concentration in the edible parts of crops (Moreno-Lora et al, 2019;Bhatt and Maheshwari, 2020;Mumtaz et al, 2020;Verma et al, 2020;Bashir et al, 2021;Jalal et al, 2021;Karnwal, 2021;Kushwaha et al, 2021;Upadhayay et al, 2022a;Upadhayay et al, 2022b). The use of agrochemicals has led to (a) a loss of soil fertility, (b) risks to human health, (c) an imbalance in the environment, (d) a change in soil ecology, etc.…”