Microbes-mediated nutrient use efficiency in pulse crops

Abstract

Legumes are the major crops used in crop rotation practices to maintain soil fertility. Soil fertility is maintained mainly by microorganisms associated with roots either symbiotically or asymbiotically. Microbes have capability to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) and enhance nutrient use efficiency by using a number of strategies like phosphate solubilization, potassium solubilization, mineral absorption, etc. Currently, use of microbial consortium (symbiotic as well as free-living) to increase nutrition use efficiency and activation of defense systems of plants is gaining importance. Microorganisms are eco-friendly, and their use is one of the best alternates of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Additionally, efforts are also being made to develop transgenic plants for increasing nutrient use efficiency. These transgenes are mostly of microbial origin. The present review focuses on enhancement of nutrient use efficiency of plants by using either individual microbe or microbes in consortium mode. The review also discusses the strategies adopted by microbes to enhance use of nutrients from soil.