Articles
THE BENEFICIAL ROLE OF RHIZOSPHERE MICROORGANISMS IN PLANT HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY: IMPROVING ROOT DEVELOPMENT AND NUTRIENT ACQUISITION
Article number
1009_29
Pages
241 – 250
Language
English
Abstract
The success in breeding crops for increased productivity resulted in selection of above ground plant traits, which demand high nutrient and water requirements and adequate soil conditions.
This current strategy involves high inputs of fertilizers containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and micronutrients such as iron (Fe). In addition, the use of pesticides and herbicides is a common practice to protect plants from pathogens and weeds.
Optimum yields thus imply high monetary and environmental costs.
The need for a more sustainable agriculture should lead to attempts to reduce mineral nutrient inputs and better-fit plants to soils through both biotechnological and organic means.
This is particularly important for regions with alkaline calcareous soils or acid soils in which there is still available land for cultivation.
On the other hand, to help production in regions of intensive agriculture, the physiological responses of plants to high and low nutrient availability and the performance of native microbial populations beneficial to plants need to be understood.
The diversity of microbes associated with roots is crucial for plant survival as they produce small molecules such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, auxin) or auxin-related signals that improve root development, thus enhancing nutrient and water acquisition.
The aim of this article is to highlight how plant growth-promoting microorganisms including rhizobacteria and fungi can be used in biofertilization strategies aimed at increasing crop production through regulation of root system architecture and the crucial role of auxins and nutrients in phytostimulation.
This current strategy involves high inputs of fertilizers containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and micronutrients such as iron (Fe). In addition, the use of pesticides and herbicides is a common practice to protect plants from pathogens and weeds.
Optimum yields thus imply high monetary and environmental costs.
The need for a more sustainable agriculture should lead to attempts to reduce mineral nutrient inputs and better-fit plants to soils through both biotechnological and organic means.
This is particularly important for regions with alkaline calcareous soils or acid soils in which there is still available land for cultivation.
On the other hand, to help production in regions of intensive agriculture, the physiological responses of plants to high and low nutrient availability and the performance of native microbial populations beneficial to plants need to be understood.
The diversity of microbes associated with roots is crucial for plant survival as they produce small molecules such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, auxin) or auxin-related signals that improve root development, thus enhancing nutrient and water acquisition.
The aim of this article is to highlight how plant growth-promoting microorganisms including rhizobacteria and fungi can be used in biofertilization strategies aimed at increasing crop production through regulation of root system architecture and the crucial role of auxins and nutrients in phytostimulation.
Authors
R. Ortiz-Castro, E. Valencia-Cantero , J. López-Bucio
Keywords
rhizosphere, root development, auxins, nutrients, microorganisms, phytostimulation
Online Articles (29)