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Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture

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A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Microbe Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 48582

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Prof. Dr. Francois Lefort

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Plants and Pathogens Group, Research Institute Land Nature and Environment, Hepia, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Jussy, 1200 Geneva, Switzerland
Interests: pathogens; plant genetic resources; plant pathogenic microorganisms; bioprospection; biostimulants; genomics; metagenomics
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Dear Colleagues,

Plant biostimulants have been named under different terminologies for the past 30 years as a function of their variable modes of action. The most consensual and recent definition states that biostimulants are biological substances, micro-organisms, and mineral compounds which can be directly applied to plants, seeds, and soil in order to improve plant growth, increase crop yield, and reduce plant stress. Mostly used in agriculture as preventive agents, they act as plant growth stimulators and enhancers of resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. This Special Issue aims to bring together a sample of very recent developments in microbial biostimulants for agriculture, on their way to the biofertilizer market or recently available to diverse agricultural production sectors, whether it be in horticulture, environmental and fruit arboriculture, viticulture, silviculture, or vegetable or crop production. The development of these innovating products has been based on chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, and microbiology applied to agriculture, taking into account the physiological, agricultural, and ecological constraints of plants. Finally, these plant microbial biostimulants must be effective at very low doses, while being ecologically friendly. They especially must produce a positive and reproducible effect on crops. Whether bacteria or fungi, these microorganisms that can be used as plant biostimulants and plant health promoters are part of a wide unknown microbial diversity, constituting the rhizospheric, epiphytic, or endophytic microbiota which are on the way to being domesticated. Their activities are also sustained by genetic interactions between plant and microbe species, which have yet to be elucidated, alongside their impacts on human and animal health.

Prof. Dr. Francois Lefort
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Inoculation of Organic Potato with Fungi and Bacteria at High Disease Severity of Rhizoctonia solani and Streptomyces spp. Increases Beneficial Effects

by Orsolya Papp, Tamás Kocsis, Borbála Biró, Timea Jung, Daniel Ganszky, Éva Abod, Imre Tirczka, Franciska Tóthné Bogdányi and Dóra Drexler

Microorganisms 2021, 9(10), 2028; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9102028 - 25 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2558

Abstract

Rhizobacteria-based technologies may constitute a viable option for biological fertilization and crop protection. The effects of two microbial inoculants (1) PPS: Pseudomonas protegens, P. jessenii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia biocontrol bacterium strains and (2) TPB: Trichoderma atroviride, Pseudomonas putida, and Bacillus subtilis fungi, bacteria biocontrol, and biofertilizer combinations were examined on potato (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Demon) in three consecutive years in irrigated organic conditions. The number of tubers showing symptoms of Streptomyces sp. and Rhizoctonia sp. was recorded. The severity of symptoms was evaluated based on the damaged tuber surface. There was a large annual variability in both the symptoms caused by soil-borne pathogens, and the effect of bio-inoculants. In the first and second year, with a stronger Rhizoctonia and Streptomyces spp. incidence, the bacterial and fungal combination of TPB inoculums with both the potential plant nutrition and biocontrol ability of the strains seemed to have a better efficiency to control the diseases. This tendency was not supported in the third year, and this may be attributed to the relatively high natural precipitation. Further studies are required to investigate the agronomic benefits of these inoculants and to tailor their application to the soil microbial characteristics and weather conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture)

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14 pages, 1343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biofertilizer Activity of Azospirillum sp. B510 on the Rice Productivity in Ghana

by Elsie Sarkodee-Addo, Chihiro Tokiwa, Patrick Bonney, Daniel Asiamah Aboagye, Alex Yeboah, Samuel Oppong Abebrese, Ralph Bam, Eric Kwesi Nartey, Shin Okazaki and Michiko Yasuda

Microorganisms 2021, 9(9), 2000; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9092000 - 21 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3305

Abstract

Rice production in Ghana has become unsustainable due to the extremely nutrient-poor soils. It is caused by inadequate soil fertility management, including the inefficient application of fertilizers. A practical solution could be the biofertilizers, Azospirillum sp. B510. We performed field trials in Ghana and Japan to compare the effects of B510 colonization on selected Ghanaian rice varieties grown. The B510 inoculation significantly enhanced the rice cultivars’ growth and yield. The phenotypic characteristics observed in rice varieties Exbaika, Ex-Boako, AgraRice, and Amankwatia were mainly short length and high tillering capacity. These features are attributed to the host plant (cv. Nipponbare), from which the strain B510 was isolated. Furthermore, Azospirillum species has been identified as the dominant colonizing bacterium of rice rhizosphere across a diverse range of agroecologies in all major rice-growing regions in Ghana. Our results suggest that the utilization of B510 as a bio-fertilizer presents a promising way to improve rice growth, enhance soil fertility, and sustain rice productivity in Ghana. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture)

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16 pages, 3863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Teak (Tectona grandis) Seedling Growth by Rhizosphere Microbes: A Sustainable Way to Optimize Agroforestry

by Leardwiriyakool Chaiya, Paiboolya Gavinlertvatana, Neung Teaumroong, Wasu Pathom-aree, Amornrat Chaiyasen, Rungroch Sungthong and Saisamorn Lumyong

Microorganisms 2021, 9(9), 1990; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9091990 - 19 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3000

Abstract

With its premium wood quality and resistance to pests, teak is a valuable tree species remarkably required for timber trading and agroforestry. The nursery stage of teak plantation needs critical care to warrant its long-term productivity. This study aimed to search for beneficial teak rhizosphere microbes and assess their teak-growth-promoting potentials during nursery stock preparation. Three teak rhizosphere/root-associated microbes, including two teak rhizobacteria (a nitrogen-fixing teak root endophyte-Agrobacterium sp. CGC-5 and a teak rhizosphere actinobacterium-Kitasatospora sp. TCM1-050) and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Claroideoglomus sp. PBT03), were isolated and used in this study. Both teak rhizobacteria could produce in vitro phytohormones (auxins) and catalase. With the pot-scale assessments, applying these rhizosphere microbes in the form of consortia offered better teak-growth-promoting activities than the individual applications, supported by significantly increased teak seedling biomass. Moreover, teak-growth-promoting roles of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus were highly dependent upon the support by other teak rhizobacteria. Based on our findings, establishing the synergistic interactions between beneficial rhizosphere microbes and teak roots was a promising sustainable strategy to enhance teak growth and development at the nursery stage and reduce chemical inputs in agroforestry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture)

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21 pages, 4039 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Strain Characterization to Field Authorization: Highlights on Bacillus velezensis Strain B25 Beneficial Properties for Plants and Its Activities on Phytopathogenic Fungi

by Pierre Joly, Alexandra Calteau, Aurélie Wauquier, Rémi Dumas, Mylène Beuvin, David Vallenet, Julien Crovadore, Bastien Cochard, François Lefort and Jean-Yves Berthon

Microorganisms 2021, 9(9), 1924; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9091924 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2907

Abstract

Agriculture is in need of alternative products to conventional phytopharmaceutical treatments from chemical industry. One solution is the use of natural microorganisms with beneficial properties to ensure crop yields and plant health. In the present study, we focused our analyses on a bacterium referred as strain B25 and belonging to the species Bacillus velezensis (synonym B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum or B. methylotrophicus), a promising plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) and an inhibitor of pathogenic fungi inducing crops diseases. B25 strain activities were investigated. Its genes are well preserved, with their majority being common with other Bacillus spp. strains and responsible for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites known to be involved in biocontrol and plant growth-promoting activities. No antibiotic resistance genes were found in the B25 strain plasmid. In vitro and in planta tests were conducted to confirm these PGPR and biocontrol properties, showing its efficiency against 13 different pathogenic fungi through antibiosis mechanism. B25 strain also showed good capacities to quickly colonize its environment, to solubilize phosphorus and to produce siderophores and little amounts of auxin-type phytohormones (around 13,051 µg/mL after 32 h). All these findings combined to the fact that B25 demonstrated good properties for industrialization of the production and an environmental-friendly profile, led to its commercialization under market authorization since 2018 in several biostimulant preparations and opened its potential use as a biocontrol agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture)

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16 pages, 1767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plant Microbial Biostimulants as a Promising Tool to Enhance the Productivity and Quality of Carrot Root Crops

by Virgilija Gavelienė, Božena Šocik, Elžbieta Jankovska-Bortkevič and Sigita Jurkonienė

Microorganisms 2021, 9(9), 1850; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9091850 - 31 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2415

Abstract

The interest in studies focused on applying probiotic microorganisms is increasing due to sustainable agriculture development. In this research, we aimed to evaluate the impact of two commercial plant probiotics—ProbioHumus and NaturGel on carrot growth, yield, and quality in organic and nonorganic production systems. The research was carried out under laboratory and field conditions. Plants were treated with probiotics (2 L/ha) at the nine leaves stage. Biometrical measurements and chemical analyses were performed at a maturation stage. The average weight of carrot roots increased by 17 and 20 g in the test variant with ProbioHumus as compared to the control in the organic and nonorganic farms, respectively. Plant microbial biostimulants ProbioHumus and NaturGel had a positive effect on the quality of carrots from organic and nonorganic farms: applied in couple they promoted the accumulation of monosaccharides, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenols, and increased antioxidant activity. Quantitative nitrate analysis regardless of the biostimulant used revealed about twofold lower nitrate content of carrots from organic than nonorganic farms, and probiotics did not show a significant effect on nitrate accumulation. Finally, ProbioHumus and NaturGel were effective at low doses. The use of microbial biostimulants can be recommended as an element of cultivation for creating ecologically friendly technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture)

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17 pages, 2330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Rhizosphere Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria to Improve Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Plant Productivity

by Ana Ibáñez, Alba Diez-Galán, Rebeca Cobos, Carla Calvo-Peña, Carlos Barreiro, Jesús Medina-Turienzo, Mario Sánchez-García and Juan José R. Coque

Microorganisms 2021, 9(8), 1619; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9081619 - 29 Jul 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2930

Abstract

On average less than 1% of the total phosphorous present in soils is available to plants, making phosphorous one of the most limiting macronutrients for crop productivity worldwide. The aim of this work was to isolate and select phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) from the barley rhizosphere, which has other growth promoting traits and can increase crop productivity. A total of 104 different bacterial isolates were extracted from the barley plant rhizosphere. In this case, 64 strains were able to solubilize phosphate in agar plates. The 24 strains exhibiting the highest solubilizing index belonged to 16 different species, of which 7 isolates were discarded since they were identified as putative phytopathogens. The remaining nine strains were tested for their ability to solubilize phosphate in liquid medium and in pot trials performed in a greenhouse. Several of the isolated strains (Advenella mimigardefordensis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium and Burkholderia fungorum) were able to significantly improve levels of assimilated phosphate, dry weight of ears and total starch accumulated on ears compared to non-inoculated plants. Since these strains were able to increase the growth and productivity of barley crops, they could be potentially used as microbial inoculants (biofertilizers). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture)

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Review

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17 pages, 13178 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biofertilizers and Biocontrol Agents for Agriculture: How to Identify and Develop New Potent Microbial Strains and Traits

by Anna Maria Pirttilä, Habibollah Mohammad Parast Tabas, Namrata Baruah and Janne J. Koskimäki

Microorganisms 2021, 9(4), 817; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9040817 - 13 Apr 2021

Cited by 97 | Viewed by 12012

Abstract

Microbiological tools, biofertilizers, and biocontrol agents, which are bacteria and fungi capable of providing beneficial outcomes in crop plant growth and health, have been developed for several decades. Currently we have a selection of strains available as products for agriculture, predominantly based on plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), soil, epiphytic, and mycorrhizal fungi, each having specific challenges in their production and use, with the main one being inconsistency of field performance. With the growing global concern about pollution, greenhouse gas accumulation, and increased need for plant-based foods, the demand for biofertilizers and biocontrol agents is expected to grow. What are the prospects of finding solutions to the challenges on existing tools? The inconsistent field performance could be overcome by using combinations of several different types of microbial strains, consisting various members of the full plant microbiome. However, a thorough understanding of each microbiological tool, microbial communities, and their mechanisms of action must precede the product development. In this review, we offer a brief overview of the available tools and consider various techniques and approaches that can produce information on new beneficial traits in biofertilizer and biocontrol strains. We also discuss innovative ideas on how and where to identify efficient new members for the biofertilizer and biocontrol strain family. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture)

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22 pages, 2985 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Wheat Physiology in Response to Drought and the Role of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria to Trigger Drought Tolerance

by Manon Camaille, Nicolas Fabre, Christophe Clément and Essaid Ait Barka

Microorganisms 2021, 9(4), 687; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9040687 - 26 Mar 2021

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 6800

Abstract

In the coming century, climate change and the increasing human population are likely leading agriculture to face multiple challenges. Agricultural production has to increase while preserving natural resources and protecting the environment. Drought is one of the major abiotic problems, which limits the growth and productivity of crops and impacts 1–3% of all land.To cope with unfavorable water-deficit conditions, plants use through sophisticated and complex mechanisms that help to perceive the stress signal and enable optimal crop yield are required. Among crop production, wheat is estimated to feed about one-fifth of humanity, but faces more and more drought stress periods, partially due to climate change. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria are a promising and interesting way to develop productive and sustainable agriculture despite environmental stress. The current review focuses on drought stress effects on wheat and how plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria trigger drought stress tolerance of wheat by highlighting several mechanisms. These bacteria can lead to better growth and higher yield through the production of phytohormones, osmolytes, antioxidants, volatile compounds, exopolysaccharides and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase. Based on the available literature, we provide a comprehensive review of mechanisms involved in drought resilience and how bacteria may alleviate this constraint Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture)

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19 pages, 341 KiB

Open AccessReview

Combining Biocontrol Agents with Chemical Fungicides for Integrated Plant Fungal Disease Control

by Lena Ons, Dany Bylemans, Karin Thevissen and Bruno P.A. Cammue

Microorganisms 2020, 8(12), 1930; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8121930 - 04 Dec 2020

Cited by 160 | Viewed by 9541

Abstract

Feeding a rising population of currently 7.8 billion people globally requires efficient agriculture, which is preferably sustainable. Today, farmers are largely dependent on synthetic fungicides to avoid food losses caused by fungal diseases. However, the extensive use of these has resulted in the emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogens and concerns have been raised over the residual effects on the environment and human health. In this regard, biocontrol agents (BCAs) have been proposed as an alternative to standard fungicides but their disease management capacity is usually incomplete and heavily relies on uncontrollable environmental conditions. An integrated approach combining BCAs with fungicides, which is the focus of this review, is put forward as a way to reduce the fungicide doses to manage plant diseases and thereby their residue on harvested crops. In addition, such a strategy of combining antifungal treatments with different modes of action reduces the selection pressure on pathogens and thereby the chances of resistance development. However, to allow its large-scale implementation, further knowledge is needed, comprising timing, number and interval of repeated BCA applications and their compatibility with fungicides. The compatibility of BCAs with fungicides might differ when applied in a mixture or when used in alternation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biostimulants: From the Lab to the Field for a New Agriculture)

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