Rhizospheric bacteria with potential benefits in agriculture

Abstract

Rhizobacteria are a vast and very diverse group of bacteria that live in the vicinity of roots. They develop beneficial, neutral, and even detrimental relationships, although the latter to a lesser extent. The interactions between bacteria and plant roots have played a determining role in the adaptation and productivity of plant species over time. Several studies show that rhizobacteria have improved plant growth, production, and health, both directly through mechanisms that include the assimilation of vital nutrients such as nitrogen fixation, phosphorus and potassium solubilization, and phytostimulation through the production of various phytohormones) and indirectly (by affecting the growth of important pathogens, activating plant immunity, and improving problems caused by abiotic stress). Due to their metabolic diversity, rhizobacteria could contribute positively to the improvement of agricultural productivity and the solution of environmental problems caused by the methods used in current agriculture. Several genera, such as Acidithiobacillus, Aminobacter, Arthrobacter, Azoarcus, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Clostridium, Enterobacter, Gluconoacetobacter, Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Sphingomonas, have demonstrated their enormous growth-promoting capacity. This review provides a focus on the mechanisms by which rhizobacteria enhance plant growth, their contribution to sustainable agriculture, and their commercialization, a field that continues to grow steadily.