Role of microbial inoculants as bio fertilizers for improving crop productivity: A review

The world's population is increasing and is anticipated to spread 10 billion by 2050, and the issue of food security is becoming a global concern. To maintain global food security, it is essential to increase crop productivity under changing climatic conditions. Conventional agricultural practices frequently use artificial/chemical fertilizers to enhance crop productivity, but these have numerous negative effects on the environment and people's health. To address these issues, researchers have been concentrating on substitute crop fertilization methods for many years, and biofertilizers as a crucial part of agricultural practices are quickly gaining popularity all over the globe. Biofertilizers are living formulations made of indigenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) which are substantial, environment-friendly, and economical biofertilizers for amassing crop productivity by enhancing plant development either directly or indirectly, and are the renewable source of plant nutrients and sustainable agronomy. The review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on microbial inoculants as biofertilizers, including their types, mechanisms of action, effects on crop productivity, challenges, and limitations associated with the use of microbial inoculants. In this review, we focused on the application of biofertilizers to agricultural fields in plant growth development by performing several activities like nitrogen fixation, siderophore production, phytohormone production, nutrient solubilization, and facilitating easy uptake by crop plants. Further, we discussed the indirect mechanism of PGPRs, in developing induced system resistance against pest and diseases, and as a biocontrol agent for phytopathogens. This review article presents a brief outline of the ideas and uses of microbial inoculants in improving crop productivity as well as a discussion of the challenges and limitations to use microbial inoculants.

Automated summary

The world's increasing population and the impending 10 billion mark by 2050 have raised concerns about food security. To ensure global food security, it is crucial to enhance crop productivity in the face of changing climate conditions. Researchers have been focusing on alternative crop fertilization methods to address the negative environmental and health impacts of conventional chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizers, consisting of indigenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), have gained popularity as a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for increasing crop productivity through direct or indirect promotion of plant growth. This review provides a comprehensive overview of microbial inoculants as biofertilizers, including their types, mechanisms of action, effects on crop productivity, as well as the challenges and limitations associated with their use.