Beneficial Effects of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Improved Crop Production: Prospects for Developing Economies
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Beneficial microbes have a long history in agriculture, but published data in recent decades indicated that such microbes, particularly plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), have lots of untapped potentials in improving agricultural production and environmental management. In some regions of the world, vast areas of land are highly weathered, very low in soil fertility including macro- and/or micronutrients, and there is high application of nitrogen and phosphorus. In some other regions, there is low rainfall, high evaporative demand, increase in soil salinity, and increase in soluble salts concentration of irrigation water. In the regions, these issues have been major impediments against agriculture. However, the development of local food production is crucial in determining progress or failure in improving food security worldwide. This chapter discusses available evidences of prospects of PGPR in better agricultural productivity and food security such as possible roles in better plant nutrient uptake, reduced use of chemical fertilizers, and enhanced or induced systemic plants tolerance to adverse environmental stresses, especially salt stress. The concept of integrated nutrient management (INM) systems remains very important. Focus was given to unexplored possibilities of PGPR with reference to biofertilization and biological control in developing economies and how the benefits can be maximized in Africa and Asian region, including Asia Pacific and Middle East. The biological and edaphic factors, which may affect PGPR effectiveness in different regions of the world, were discussed.
