What is the role of microorganisms in plant growth and role of plant growth promoting microorganisms as a tool for environmental sustainability?
Beneficial microbes improve plant growth by enhancing the availability of nutrients, the regulation of phytohormones, and increasing plant tolerance against stresses. PGPM act as biofertilizer, increasing macro and micronutrient availability. They are also pivotal in improving organic biomass in the soil, which in turn resists erosion and retains water and the fertility of the degraded and contaminated soils. The PGPM's trait like antagonism toward certain plant pathogens is effective and eliminates the need for the harmful pesticide usage.
Microorganisms have the potential to improve plant growth under abiotic stress conditions by promoting the production of low-molecular-weight osmolytes, such as glycinebetaine, proline, and other amino acids, mineral phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, organic acids, and producing key enzymes. Among all, plant growth promoting bacteria are most abundant in the rhizosphere. PGPR improve soil properties through various mechanisms regulating soil contaminations. PGPR help to adapt to abiotic stresses like salinity, drought, flood stress, and also to the biotic stresses. They are also pivotal in improving organic biomass in the soil, which in turn resists erosion and retains water and the fertility of the degraded and contaminated soils. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are bacteria that can enhance plant growth and protect plants from disease and abiotic stresses through a wide variety of mechanisms; those that establish close associations with plants, such as the endophytes, could be more successful in plant growth promotion. Microbes make nutrients available to plants from the rhizosphere and ultimately help in their mobilization in the plant system. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the key elements involved in plant growth and development. Soil microbes are critical to decomposing organic residues and recycling soil nutrients. They provide nutrients to crops, enhance soil health and crop outputs. Soil microbes play a significant part in the tolerance to plant diseases. Within food plant cropping systems, microorganisms provide vital functions and ecosystem services, such as biological pest and disease control, promotion of plant growth and crop quality, and biodegradation of organic matter and pollutants. Soil microorganisms are responsible for most of the nutrient release from organic matter. When microorganisms decompose organic matter, they use the carbon and nutrients in the organic matter for their own growth. They release excess nutrients into the soil where they can be taken up by plants. Microorganisms play foremost role in soil formation and soil ecology because they as 'natural soil engineers' regulate the flux of nutrients to plants and prop up nitrogen fixation, and ultimately promote detoxification of naturally occurring inorganic and organic pollutants in soil.
PGPMs also act as key players in various ecosystem services, such as enhancing crop yields, producing biofortified food, improving plant and soil health by controlling pests, maintaining nutrient cycling, ensuring crop pollination and pollinator biodiversity having aesthetic and economic value. Among all, plant growth promoting bacteria are most abundant in the rhizosphere. PGPR improve soil properties through various mechanisms regulating soil contaminations. PGPR help to adapt to abiotic stresses like salinity, drought, flood stress, and also to the biotic stresses. Microbes are responsible for both production and destruction of foodstuffs and are a key element in reducing waste from spoilage. Some microorganisms can degrade plastics, toxins, and agricultural waste, but some convert excess fertilizer to nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Microbes foster agriculture productivity by aiding and controlling the availability of supplements to plants and by promoting tolerance towards environmental stress conditions. Plant associated microbiomes are expected to increase plant adaptability and high-yield in agriculture. For a sustainable developmental approach, microorganisms can be used in agriculture as a green technology. Microbes are capable of improving soil fertility, crop productivity and biocontrol of plant pathogens. Microorganisms play a crucial role in nutrient cycling in soil. The composition and activity of microbiota impact the soil quality status, health, and nutrient enrichment. Microbes are essential for nutrient mobility and absorption. Through their varied functions, they stimulate plant growth and reduce diseases. Bacteria improve the soil so that new plants can become established. Without bacteria, new plant populations and communities struggle to survive or even exist. Bacteria change the soil environment so that certain plant species can exist and proliferate.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Computer Science
- Program