Role of the Plant-Microbiome Partnership in Environmentally Harmonious 21st Century Agriculture

Shashi B. Sharma; Kiran P. Raverkar; Suhas P. Wani; Davis Joseph Bagyaraj; Annapurna Kannepalli; Diwakar R. W. Kandula; Aram Mikaelyan; Minshad A. Ansari; S. Patricia Stock; Keith G. Davies; Rajan Sharma

doi:10.3390/microorganisms13122839

Role of the Plant-Microbiome Partnership in Environmentally Harmonious 21st Century Agriculture

Shashi B. Sharma, Kiran P. Raverkar, Suhas P. Wani, Davis Joseph Bagyaraj, Annapurna Kannepalli, Diwakar R. W. Kandula, Aram Mikaelyan, Minshad A. Ansari, S. Patricia Stock, Keith G. Davies, …

Microorganisms (Basel), Vol.13(12), 2839

2025

: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13122839

: 41472041

(1)

pdf

Published2.72 MB

Open Access

microbiome

sustainable agriculture

crop productivity

food security

climate resilience

planetary health

The 21st century calls for a paradigm shift in agricultural practices to address the pressing issues of regeneration of soil health, climate change, environmental degradation, sustainability under growing population pressures, and food security challenges. This article reviews the potential of the plant-microbiome approach as a key driver for eco-conscious green farming. The focus is on the diverse roles of microbial communities in close association with plants in improving plant health, crop productivity, and soil ecosystem functions, and in enhancing environmental sustainability, with focus on four key areas: (1) Soil health and fertility through microbial partnerships; (2) Ecosystem sustainability through microbial functions; (3) Plant health, productivity and food security through microbial innovations emphasising the potential of microbial applications (biofertilisers, bioprotectants, and biostimulants) in sustainable agriculture; (4) Standardisation and stewardship in microbial agriculture highlighting the need for standardisation and quality control in microbial product development and use, and the concept of microbial stewardship and its importance in long-term agricultural sustainability. By synthesising current knowledge and identifying future challenges, this review underscores the transformative potential of the plant-associated microbiome approach in creating resilient, productive, and environmentally harmonious agricultural systems. We highlight current research gaps and future directions, arguing that embracing microbial solutions is not just an option but a necessity for ensuring food security and environmentally benign sustainability in the face of global challenges.

: Role of the Plant-Microbiome Partnership in Environmentally Harmonious 21st Century Agriculture
: Shashi B. Sharma - Murdoch University, Harry Butler Institute
Kiran P. Raverkar - Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
Suhas P. Wani - International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Davis Joseph Bagyaraj - Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research
Annapurna Kannepalli - ICAR Indian Agr Res Inst, Div Microbiol, New Delhi 110012, India
Diwakar R. W. Kandula - Lincoln University
Aram Mikaelyan - North Carolina State University
Minshad A. Ansari - Swansea University
S. Patricia Stock - Oregon State University
Keith G. Davies - University of Hertfordshire
Rajan Sharma - International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
: Microorganisms (Basel), Vol.13(12), 2839
: MDPI
: 29
: One CGIAR Science Program Sustainable Farming
: 991005848588807891
: Harry Butler Institute
: English
: Journal article

research.portal.fulldisplay.sdgs.intro

#12 Responsible Consumption & Production

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research.portal.fulldisplay.incitesHighlights.intro

esploro.research.conf.research.portal.label.prefix.inciteCollaboration: research.portal.fulldisplay.incitesHighlights.institutionCollaboration; research.portal.fulldisplay.incitesHighlights.internationalCollaboration
esploro.research.conf.research.portal.label.prefix.inciteCitationTopics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.97 Plant Pathology; 3.97.556 Microbial Biocontrol
esploro.research.conf.research.portal.label.prefix.inciteWOSResearchAreas: Microbiology
esploro.research.conf.research.portal.label.prefix.inciteESIResearchAreas: Microbiology