Efficacy of biofertilizers in abiotic stress management of fruit crops: A review

Abstract

Biofertilizers are gaining widespread acceptance in agriculture due to their numerous advantages over chemical fertilizers. These environmentally friendly alternatives play a crucial role in enhancing soil health and fertility through various mechanisms. Biofertilizers consist of diverse microorganisms that can effectively promote plant growth and development, even under abiotic stress conditions. As a result, the utilization of biofertilizers is steadily increasing, especially with the escalating costs of chemical fertilizers and their adverse effects on soil health and crop yields. Certain microorganisms, such as Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Gigaspora rosea, Pseudomonas, and Funneliformis geosporus, hold substantial potential for commercial use as biofertilizers to improve the growth and development of fruit crops. In-depth research has demonstrated that biofertilizers can significantly augment the biomass and productivity of various fruit crops. Their application in fruit crop production is particularly beneficial as they not only enhance growth but also confer improved resistance to abiotic stress factors like high temperatures, drought, salinity, and metal toxicity. This comprehensive review highlights the substantial promise of biofertilizers in mitigating abiotic stress and fostering sustainable practices in fruit crop cultivation.