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Role of Microbial Plant Biostimulants in Abiotic Stress Mitigation
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Role of Microbial Plant Biostimulants in Abiotic Stress Mitigation

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant–Soil Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2024) | Viewed by 2334

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sajid Ali

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Horticulture and Life Science, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
Interests: microbial plant biostimulants; AMF; PGPR; Consortia; biotic stress; abiotic stress; physiological and biochemical parameters; ACC deaminase; antioxidant system; gene expression; crop improvement; sustainable agriculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microbial plant biostimulants play a crucial role in mitigating abiotic stresses by enhancing the resilience and productivity of crops. These biostimulants consist of various microorganisms, including endophytic and rhizospheric fungi and bacteria, which interact with plants to improve nutrient uptake, hormone regulation, and stress tolerance mechanisms. Through mechanisms such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and the production of phytohormones, microbial biostimulants enhance the availability and uptake of essential nutrients by plants, thereby promoting growth and development even under adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, these microorganisms can induce systemic resistance in plants, priming them to respond more effectively to stressors and reducing the negative impacts on crop yield and quality. Furthermore, microbial biostimulants contribute to soil health and sustainability by promoting beneficial microbial communities, improving soil structure, and enhancing nutrient cycling. Their ability to enhance plant performance while reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides makes them a promising solution for sustainable agriculture in the face of increasing environmental challenges. Overall, the role of microbial plant biostimulants in abiotic stress mitigation underscores their potential to contribute to food security, environmental sustainability, and resilience in agricultural systems worldwide. This research collection aims to highlight the advances in our understanding of the knowledge of microbial plant biostimulants to mitigate adverse environmental conditions, with a main focus on the fungal and bacterial endophytes, rhizospheric microorganisms, plant–microbe interactions, plant physiology, cellular and biochemical effects, environmental stresses, and stress mitigation. Meanwhile, studies on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular level of plant–microbe interactions are also welcome.

Dr. Sajid Ali
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • microbial biostimulants
  • rhizobacteria
  • fungal endophytes
  • bacterial endophytes
  • soil health
  • organic farming
  • horticulture
  • crop plants
  • abiotic stress
  • stress mitigation
  • sustainable agriculture

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 2187 KiB  
Article
Effect of Herbicide-Resistant Oil-Degrading Bacteria on Plants in Soil Contaminated with Oil and Herbicides
by Tatyana Korshunova, Elena Kuzina, Svetlana Mukhamatdyarova, Milyausha Iskuzhina, Liliya Kulbaeva and Svetlana Petrova
Plants 2024, 13(24), 3560; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13243560 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 451
Abstract
Biological remediation of agricultural soils contaminated with oil is complicated by the presence of residual amounts of chemical plant protection products, in particular, herbicides, which, like oil, negatively affect the soil microbiome and plants. In this work, we studied five strains of bacteria [...] Read more.
Biological remediation of agricultural soils contaminated with oil is complicated by the presence of residual amounts of chemical plant protection products, in particular, herbicides, which, like oil, negatively affect the soil microbiome and plants. In this work, we studied five strains of bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter, which exhibited a high degree of oil biodegradation (72–96%). All strains showed resistance to herbicides based on 2,4-D, imazethapyr and tribenuron-methyl, the ability to fix nitrogen, phosphate mobilization, and production of indole-3-acetic acid. The presence of pollutants affected the growth-stimulating properties of bacteria in different ways. The most promising strain P. citronellolis N2 was used alone and together with oat and lupine plants for soil remediation of oil, including herbicide-treated oil-contaminated soil. Combined contamination was more toxic to plants and soil microorganisms. Bacterization stimulated the formation of chlorophyll and suppressed the synthesis of abscisic acid and malonic dialdehyde in plant tissues. The combined use of bacteria and oat plants most effectively reduced the content of hydrocarbons in the soil (including in the presence of herbicides). The results obtained can be used to develop new methods for bioremediation of soils with polychemical pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Microbial Plant Biostimulants in Abiotic Stress Mitigation)
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20 pages, 6666 KiB  
Article
Rhizofungus Aspergillus terreus Mitigates Heavy Metal Stress-Associated Damage in Triticum aestivum L.
by Naveen Dilawar, Muhammad Hamayun, Amjad Iqbal, Bokyung Lee, Sajid Ali, Ayaz Ahmad, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei, Turki Kh. Faraj, Ho-Youn Kim and Anwar Hussain
Plants 2024, 13(18), 2643; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13182643 - 21 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1003
Abstract
Industrial waste and sewage deposit heavy metals into the soil, where they can remain for long periods. Although there are several methods to manage heavy metals in agricultural soil, microorganisms present a promising and effective solution for their detoxification. We isolated a rhizofungus, [...] Read more.
Industrial waste and sewage deposit heavy metals into the soil, where they can remain for long periods. Although there are several methods to manage heavy metals in agricultural soil, microorganisms present a promising and effective solution for their detoxification. We isolated a rhizofungus, Aspergillus terreus (GenBank Acc. No. KT310979.1), from Parthenium hysterophorus L., and investigated its growth-promoting and metal detoxification capabilities. The isolated fungus was evaluated for its ability to mitigate lead (25 and 75 ppm) and copper (100 and 200 ppm) toxicity in Triticum aestivum L. seedlings. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design with three replicates for each treatment. A. terreus successfully colonized the roots of wheat seedlings, even in the presence of heavy metals, and significantly enhanced plant growth. The isolate effectively alleviates lead and copper stress in wheat seedlings, as evidenced by increases in shoot length (142%), root length (98%), fresh weight (24%), dry weight (73%), protein content (31%), and sugar content (40%). It was observed that wheat seedlings possess a basic defense system against stress, but it was insufficient to support normal growth. Fungal inoculation strengthened the host’s defense system and reduced its exposure to toxic heavy metals. In treated seedlings, exposure to heavy metals significantly upregulated MT1 gene expression, which aided in metal detoxification, enhanced antioxidant defenses, and maintained metal homeostasis. A reduction in metal exposure was observed in several areas, including normalizing the activities of antioxidant enzymes that had been elevated by up to 67% following exposure to Pb (75 mg/kg) and Cu (200 mg/kg). Heavy metal exposure elevated antioxidant levels but also increased ROS levels by 86%. However, with Aspergillus terreus colonization, ROS levels stayed within normal ranges. This decrease in ROS was associated with reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, enhanced membrane stability, and restored root architecture. In conclusion, rhizofungal colonization improved metal tolerance in seedlings by decreasing metal uptake and increasing the levels of metal-binding metallothionein proteins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Microbial Plant Biostimulants in Abiotic Stress Mitigation)
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