Cyanobacteria that Promote Plant Growth and Metabolites

Abstract

Cyanobacteria help to dissolve phosphate and minerals to increase plant production and soil fertility, and contribute to the biological nitrogen fixation. In addition, many cyanobacteria secrete elicitor molecules such as amino acids, proteins, polysaccharides, phytohormones, vitamins and carbohydrates to promote plant growth. Thus, they protect plants against biotic and abiotic stress. Cyanobacteria have antagonistic activity against many plant pathogen fungi. With the application of cyanobacteria as the biocontrol agent, the severity of the disease has decreased in many plants. In this review, the effects of metabolites secreted by cyanobacteria on plant growth and their effects on their use in agriculture are discussed.