Rhizosphere Microorganisms Supply Availability of Soil Nutrients and Induce Plant Defense

Abstract

Plant health is necessary for food security, which is a key determinant of secure and sustainable food production systems. Deficiency of soil nutrients and invasion of plant pathogens or insects are the main destroyers of the world's food production. Synthetic fertilizers and chemical-based pesticides are frequently employed to combat the problems. However, these have negative impacts on microbial ecosystems and ecosystem functioning. Rhizosphere microorganisms have demonstrated their potency to improve or manage plant nutrients to encourage plant growth, resulting in increased yield and quality by converting organic and inorganic substances around the rhizosphere zone into available plant nutrients. Besides regulating nutrient availability and plant growth enhancement, rhizobacteria or fungi can restrict plant pathogens that cause disease by secreting inhibitory chemicals and boosting plant immunity to combat pests or pathogens. Thus, rhizosphere microorganisms are viewed as viable, alluring economic approaches for sustainable agriculture as biofertilizers and biopesticides. This review provides an overview of the role of rhizosphere microorganisms in soil nutrients and inducing of plant defenses. Moreover, a discussion is presented surrounding the recent consequences of employing these microorganisms and a sustainable strategy towards improving fertilization effectiveness, and encouraging stronger, more pest-resistant plants.

Keywords: biological control agents; infection; integrated plant disease; plant elicitor; plant immune.

Figure 1

Schematic overview of benefits effect of plant interaction with microorganisms in the rhizosphere zone.

Figure 2

Schematic overview of microbial–plant and microbial–microbial interactions in plant health.