While the world is under pressure to produce more food than ever, the authors explain that our long-term reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides has left a trail of environmental damage that we can no longer ignore.
To meet the soaring global food demand in the coming decades, the researchers point out that we need farming systems that are both more productive and more efficient than those of the past. They highlight that recent studies have identified plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPMs) as a powerful, eco-friendly alternative that could eventually replace many products from the chemical industry.
However, the authors explain that these natural solutions often produce inconsistent results in the field because of the incredibly complex relationships they form with the surrounding environment, the soil, and other existing microorganisms. Because these biological interactions—involving both living and non-living factors—are so intricate, the effectiveness of these treatments can vary significantly.
In this review, the authors analyze the primary factors that determine how well these microbes actually work and explore the specific ways they can be used to drive a successful transition toward agroecology. Ultimately, the researchers aim to provide a clearer understanding of how these microbes can be turned into a reliable tool for a more sustainable agricultural future.
Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042253
Reference:
Malgioglio, G., Rizzo, G. F., Nigro, S., Lefebvre Du Prey, V., Herforth-Rahmé, J., Catara, V., & Branca, F. (2022). Plant-Microbe Interaction in Sustainable Agriculture: The Factors That May Influence the Efficacy of PGPM Application. Sustainability, 14(4), 2253.
