Plant–microbe interactions promoting plant growth and health: perspectives for controlled use of microorganisms in agriculture
Abstract
Plant-associated microorganisms fulfill important functions for plant growth and health. Direct plant growth promotion by microbes is based on improved nutrient acquisition and hormonal stimulation. Diverse mechanisms are involved in the suppression of plant pathogens, which is often indirectly connected with plant growth. Whereas members of the bacterial genera Azospirillum and Rhizobium are well-studied examples for plant growth promotion, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Stenotrophomonas, and Streptomyces and the fungal genera Ampelomyces, Coniothyrium, and Trichoderma are model organisms to demonstrate influence on plant health. Based on these beneficial plant-microbe interactions, it is possible to develop microbial inoculants for use in agricultural biotechnology. Dependent on their mode of action and effects, these products can be used as biofertilizers, plant strengtheners, phytostimulators, and biopesticides. There is a strong growing market for microbial inoculants worldwide with an annual growth rate of approximately 10%. The use of genomic technologies leads to products with more predictable and consistent effects. The future success of the biological control industry will benefit from interdisciplinary research, e.g., on mass production, formulation, interactions, and signaling with the environment, as well as on innovative business management, product marketing, and education. Altogether, the use of microorganisms and the exploitation of beneficial plant-microbe interactions offer promising and environmentally friendly strategies for conventional and organic agriculture worldwide.
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Microorganisms can produce a wide array of compounds with antimicrobial activity and hydrolytic enzymes catalyzing cell wall lysis, and they will control growth and activity of pathogenic fungi.
“Since microorganisms can produce a wide array of compounds with antimicrobial activity (e.g.phenazines) (Berg et al., 2001, Berg, 2009) and hydrolytic enzymes catalyzing cell wall lysis, they will control growth and activity of pathogenic fungi (Krechel et al., 2002).”
From Intensify production, transform biomass to energy and novel goods and protect soils in Europe—A vision how to mobilize marginal lands (2018) · cites this paper as Berg, 2009
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- Authors
- Berg, G.
- Affiliations
- Graz University of Technology (AT)
- Corresponding author
- Berg, Gabriele
- ORCID
- Berg, Gabriele
- Venue
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Published
- 2009-07-01
- Volume
- 84
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 11-18
- ISSN
- 0175-7598 (ISSN-L)
- 1432-0614
- OpenAlex
- W2042222772
- Cited by
- 1,648
- References
- 74
- Citations by year
- 2026: 44 · 2025: 91 · 2024: 116 · 2023: 123 · 2022: 138 · 2021: 170 · 2020: 170 · 2019: 144 · 2018: 102 · 2017: 112 · 2016: 90 · 2015: 76 · 2014: 73 · 2013: 79 · 2012: 52
- FWCI
- 3.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Austrian Science Fund
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Agriculture, Plant Science, Crop Management
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Keywords
- plant-microbe interactions, plant growth promotion, plant health, biological control, microbial inoculants, biofertilizers, biopesticides, Azospirillum, Rhizobium, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Stenotrophomonas, Streptomyces, Trichoderma, Ampelomyces, Coniothyrium, nutrient acquisition, plant hormones, plant pathogen suppression, organic farming
- MeSH terms
- Agriculture, Biotechnology, Plants, Soil Microbiology, Plant Development
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