Agriculturally important groups of microorganisms – microbial enhancement of nutrient availability

Abstract

The increased dependence of modern agriculture on excessive use of agrochemicals and mineral fertilizers, combined with the effects of climate change, will contribute significantly to environmental degradation and loss of soil quality. Consequently, current trends are based on the search for sustainable agricultural practices, in line with the pro-environmental elements of European policy, to reduce energy use and environmental problems, and to provide an adequate supply of high quality, healthy food for an ever growing world population. The production of healthy food is entirely dependent on the availability of nutrients, so the use of biofertilizers with microorganisms is one of the best ways to supplement and increase the availability of nutrients necessary for proper plant growth and yield. Microorganisms are a powerful tool that can provide significant benefits to crops for sustainable agriculture. The aim of this paper is therefore to review the literature on some of the most important groups of microorganisms that are components of biofertilisers. These are those that increase nutrient availability: atmospheric nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, phosphorus-solubilising microorganisms and potassium-solubilising microorganisms. This review therefore distinguishes between different groups of microorganisms and their plant growth promoting mechanisms by which they exert their yield enhancing function to meet the demand for healthy food. Microorganisms that are involved in balanced nutrient cycling and have other plant growth promoting properties (PGP) are an effective way to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers, enabling efficient and sustainable agriculture that maintains a healthy soil for future generations.