Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) with Biofilm-Forming Ability: A Multifaceted Agent for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) enhance plant growth, as well as protect plants from several biotic and abiotic stresses through a variety of mechanisms. Therefore, the exploitation of PGPB in agriculture is feasible as it offers sustainable and eco-friendly approaches to maintaining soil health while increasing crop productivity. The vital key of PGPB application in agriculture is its effectiveness in colonizing plant roots and the phyllosphere, and in developing a protective umbrella through the formation of microcolonies and biofilms. Biofilms offer several benefits to PGPB, such as enhancing resistance to adverse environmental conditions, protecting against pathogens, improving the acquisition of nutrients released in the plant environment, and facilitating beneficial bacteria–plant interactions. Therefore, bacterial biofilms can successfully compete with other microorganisms found on plant surfaces. In addition, plant-associated PGPB biofilms are capable of protecting colonization sites, cycling nutrients, enhancing pathogen defenses, and increasing tolerance to abiotic stresses, thereby increasing agricultural productivity and crop yields. This review highlights the role of biofilms in bacterial colonization of plant surfaces and the strategies used by biofilm-forming PGPB. Moreover, the factors influencing PGPB biofilm formation at plant root and shoot interfaces are critically discussed. This will pave the role of PGPB biofilms in developing bacterial formulations and addressing the challenges related to their efficacy and competence in agriculture for sustainability.

Bacterial-Mediated Salinity Stress Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.): A Fortunate Way toward Sustainable Agriculture

“…Biofilm formation can also increase the ability of PGPB to fix nitrogen and solubilize phosphorus, both of which are critical for plant growth and survival. Therefore, by promoting biofilm formation, PGPB can play an important role in mitigating the negative impacts of salt stress on plant growth and health. , …”

“…Therefore, by promoting biofilm formation, PGPB can play an important role in mitigating the negative impacts of salt stress on plant growth and health. 123,124 Salinity reduces the crop yield, particularly in dry and semiarid regions. 125 Furthermore, it creates metabolic abnormalities and reduces the meristematic activity and plant cell elongation, which leads to a higher respiration rate and inhibition of growth.…”

Isolation and Characterisation of Electrogenic Bacteria from Mud Samples

“…Surface qualities, genetic backgrounds, environmental factors, and presence of bacterial adhesins influence this process [ 46 , 47 ]. Because of its practical relevance on many areas of life, several recent studies have focused on the differences in biofilm-forming capacities of bacteria on either biotic or abiotic surfaces [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Our results are consistent with these previous findings as the biofilm-forming abilities of the mud isolates differed on the 96-well plate and the glass surface ( Table 2 ).…”

Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils: A Comprehensive Review of the Impacts of Chemicals, Soil Salinity, Organic Matter, and Land Use

“…Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria hold promise for the remediation of petroleumcontaminated soils, provided their metabolic capabilities are harnessed effectively. Considering the intricate interplay between bacterial growth, soil heterogeneity, and clogging dynamics is instrumental in devising efficient in-situ groundwater remediation techniques [19]. Bioremediation of contaminated soils and groundwater involves breaking down a wide range of complex organic compounds.…”