Possible Roles of Rhizospheric and Endophytic Microbes to Provide a Safe and Affordable Means of Crop Biofortification

Abstract

Biofortification has been used to improve micronutrient contents in crops for human consumption. In under-developed regions, it is important to fortify crops so that people can obtain essential micronutrients despite the limited variety in their diets. In wealthy societies, fortified crops are regarded as a “greener” choice for health supplements. Biofortification is also used in crops to boost the contents of other non-essential secondary metabolites which are considered beneficial to human health. Breeding of elite germplasms and metabolic engineering are common approaches to fortifying crops. However, the time required for breeding and the acceptance of genetically modified crops by the public have presented significant hurdles. As an alternative approach, microbe-mediated biofortification has not received the attention it deserves, despite having great potential. It has been reported that the inoculation of soil or crops with rhizospheric or endophytic microbes, respectively, can enhance the micronutrient contents in various plant tissues including roots, leaves and fruits. In this review, we highlight the applications of microbes as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for biofortification by improving the mineral, vitamin, and beneficial secondary metabolite contents in crops through naturally occurring processes. In addition, the complex plant–microbe interactions involved in biofortification are also addressed.

The importance of thiamine (vitamin B1) in plant health: From crop yield to biofortification

“…Although the wider impacts on crop yield and health need to be considered, farming practices that promote microbial interactions (i.e. fewer pesticides) have been shown to yield spinach crops with higher thiamine contents than alternatives grown conventionally (114). Thus, application of beneficial thiamine-synthesizing bacteria to agricultural fields may offer a method to improve thiamine content of crops but has not been explored.…”

Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Fruit Crops: An Overview

“…However, hybridized rhizosphere of sweet orange and Ficus racemosa L. out-smarted the response over other rhizosphere hybridization treatments (Table 3). These studies lend some support to the fact that inoculation of soil or crops with rhizospheric or endophytic microbes, respectively, can enhance the micronutrient contents in various plant tissues including roots, leaves, and fruits (Ku et al, 2019).…”

Is the Application of Plant Probiotic Bacterial Consortia Always Beneficial for Plants? Exploring Synergies between Rhizobial and Non-Rhizobial Bacteria and Their Effects on Agro-Economically Valuable Crops

“…There are many reviews offering an overview of the vast information about microorganisms, and specially bacteria, that are plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents, and also reviewing the mechanisms associated with these particular functions, as well as more publications showing and/or reviewing the benefits to plants, such as the enhancement of bioactive compounds in the edible parts, among others [3,[12][13][14][15][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83].…”