Perspectives of Microbial Inoculation for Sustainable Development and Environmental Management

Abstract

How to sustainably feed a growing global population is a question still without an answer. Particularly farmers, to increase production, tend to apply more fertilizers and pesticides, a trend especially predominant in developing countries. Another challenge is that industrialization and other human activities produce pollutants, which accumulate in soils or aquatic environments, contaminating them. Not only is human well-being at risk, but also environmental health. Currently, recycling, land-filling, incineration and pyrolysis are being used to reduce the concentration of toxic pollutants from contaminated sites, but too have adverse effects on the environment, producing even more resistant and highly toxic intermediate compounds. Moreover, these methods are expensive, and are difficult to execute for soil, water, and air decontamination. Alternatively, green technologies are currently being developed to degrade toxic pollutants. This review provides an overview of current research on microbial inoculation as a way to either replace or reduce the use of agrochemicals and clean environments heavily affected by pollution. Microorganism-based inoculants that enhance nutrient uptake, promote crop growth, or protect plants from pests and diseases can replace agrochemicals in food production. Several examples of how biofertilizers and biopesticides enhance crop production are discussed. Plant roots can be colonized by a variety of favorable species and genera that promote plant growth. Microbial interventions can also be used to clean contaminated sites from accumulated pesticides, heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and other industrial effluents. The potential of and key processes used by microorganisms for sustainable development and environmental management are discussed in this review, followed by their future prospects.

Formulation of Microbial Inoculants by Encapsulation in Natural Polysaccharides: Focus on Beneficial Properties of Carrier Additives and Derivatives

“…Different groups of soil microorganisms, such as root endophytic fungi, mycorrhizal fungi, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, rhizobia, and phosphate solubilizers affect plant growth through direct and plant-mediated mechanisms, including in stressed conditions (van der Heijden et al, 2008;Berg, 2009;Shilev et al, 2019). The application of selected plant beneficial microorganisms individually or as microbial consortia with multifunctional properties is an important tool to promote crop health and productivity (Ahmad et al, 2018;Maron et al, 2018). The scientific literature abounds in studies on isolation and characterization of plant-beneficial microorganisms, but only few of them have reached the commercial market.…”

Respiratory CO2 Combined With a Blend of Volatiles Emitted by Endophytic Serendipita Strains Strongly Stimulate Growth of Arabidopsis Implicating Auxin and Cytokinin Signaling

“…In search of sustainable alternatives for chemical fertilizers and plant protection products, the use of beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms and/or their bioactive compounds as potential biofertilizers, phytostimulants, and biocontrol agents has been widely explored (reviewed, e.g., in Ahmad et al, 2018 ). In this context, the endophyte Serendipita indica (formerly Piriformospora indica ) and its close relatives within the Serendipitaceae (Sebacinales, Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) have attracted attention because of their broad host spectrum and positive influence on diverse aspects of plant development.…”

Production and Implication of Bio-Activated Organic Fertilizer Enriched with Zinc-Solubilizing Bacteria to Boost up Maize (Zea mays L.) Production and Biofortification under Two Cropping Seasons

“…During recent years, inoculation with plant growth-promoting microorganisms has emerged as a novel and environment-friendly approach for improving the soil nutrient availability [19][20][21]. Such microorganisms are capable of producing metabolites that reduce soil pH resulting in an increase in bioavailability of nutrients to the plants.…”