Microbiome engineering and beneficial bio-inputs for sustainable nutrient management and soil-borne disease suppression

Abstract:

Modern agriculture faces the dual challenge of maintaining high crop productivity while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Microbiome engineering has emerged as a promising approach for enhancing nutrient availability, improving soil health, and suppressing plant diseases through the strategic use of beneficial microorganisms. This review examines the roles of key bacterial genera, including Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Azotobacter, in nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, plant growth promotion, and suppression of soil-borne pathogens. The mechanisms underlying microbial nutrient mobilization, production of phytohormones, siderophores, antibiotics, and lytic enzymes are discussed. Advances in microbial consortia design, carrier formulations, seed treatments, and rhizosphere-targeted delivery systems are highlighted as important tools for optimizing bioinput performance under field conditions. The review also addresses challenges related to microbial survival, environmental variability, and interactions with native soil microbiota. Integration of microbiome engineering with precision agriculture and omics-based technologies ofers significant opportunities for developing next-generation biofertilizers and biocontrol agents capable of supporting sustainable and climate-resilient crop production.