Plant growth promotion by streptomycetes: Ecophysiology, mechanisms and applications

Abstract

The genus Streptomyces comprises filamentous Gram-positive bacteria that are widely recognized for their ability to produce bioactive compounds such as antimicrobial, antiparasitic and immune-suppressing compounds via secondary metabolism. These bioactive compounds represent a third of all commercially available antibiotics. Streptomycetes have been found in beneficial associations with plants where they have improved plant growth and protected against pests, which have attracted the attention of researchers worldwide. This review focuses on the potential of streptomycetes as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPS) and considers features related to secondary metabolic pathways, interactions with host plants and recent advances in elucidating plant growth-promoting mechanisms. Such advances in basic knowledge have increased the prospects for streptomycetes to be used as bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture.