Applications of Plant–Microbe Interactions in Agro-Ecosystems

Abstract

The natural association between plants and microorganisms has historically been linked to improved plant growth, nutrition and health. Rhizospheric and phyllospheric microorganisms have received much attention due to their applications in improved nutrient acquisition, enhanced water sequestration, induced systemic resistance, competitive exclusion of plant pathogens and remediation of environmental pollutants. Such beneficial attributes have motivated the adoption of these plant–microbe interactions in agro-ecosystems to improve productivity. The application of commercially available plant beneficial microorganisms (CAPBM) in agro-ecosystems is largely due to their compatibility and complementarity with natural processes of nutrient cycling, plant protection and other related biological processes. While numerous studies have reported the huge potential of the use of plant beneficial microorganisms in agro-ecosystems, wide-scale commercialization of microbial products are still lagging. Hurdles in the commercialization of CAPBM range from lack of awareness and regulatory framework to inaccurate product selection. The future prospects of the application of CAPBM will be determined by the adoption of new technologies that include multi-omics approach for improving the quality as well as applicability of these beneficial microorganisms in agro-ecosystems. Furthermore, government intervention is of utmost importance to ensure that the necessary regulatory framework is in place, thereby ensuring high quality of products. High-quality products will improve adoption rate, which would have downstream influences on job creation in the CAPBM and agricultural industries.