Role of Microorganisms in Plant Nutrition and Health

Abstract

Microbes are the key components of soil nutrient cycling. Status of soil health and richness of soil nutrient pool depend on structure and functions of soil microbial community. Microbes play an important role in nutrient mobilisation and uptake. They promote plant growth and suppress disease by their various activities. Phosphate and sulphate solubilisation, plant growth promotion, siderophore production, nitrogen fixation, denitrification, immune modulation, signal transduction and pathogen control are some of the well-recognised microbial mediated processes which promote the plant growth and protect them from pests. Current chapter starts with a brief introduction of plant nutrients and their classification and mechanisms of nutrient uptake by the plants. After that we discussed the importance of microbes in plant nutrient uptake and mobilisation. In addition, importance of different classes of microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, cyanobacteria) in plant nutrition and health has been discussed in detail under different sections. In the end we conclude the role of microorganisms in sustainable agriculture and environment and suggested for the promotion and use of microbial-based formulations instead of chemical fertilisers. We also emphasised on cultivation and preservation of agriculturally and environmentally important but not yet cultured organisms for sustainable development in agriculture and environment.