Zinc-solubilizing bacterial consortia: a promising approach for zinc biofortification of crops
The term “zinc-solubilizing bacteria” (ZSB) refers to a specific group of soil bacteria that are associated with zinc-solubilizing activity in the soil through a variety of mechanisms. The functional use of ZSB has been proposed for the zinc (Zn) biofortification of crops to address Zn malnutrition....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1575514/full |
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| author | Viabhav Kumar Upadhayay Saurabh Gangola Gohar Taj Kumar Gaurav Anju Rani Sunil Kumar Shivanshu Garg Gaurav Gupta Haider Ali Sazada Siddiqui Saad A. M. Alamri Amit Mittal Sulaiman A. Alrumman Mayank Pandey |
| author_facet | Viabhav Kumar Upadhayay Saurabh Gangola Gohar Taj Kumar Gaurav Anju Rani Sunil Kumar Shivanshu Garg Gaurav Gupta Haider Ali Sazada Siddiqui Saad A. M. Alamri Amit Mittal Sulaiman A. Alrumman Mayank Pandey |
| author_sort | Viabhav Kumar Upadhayay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The term “zinc-solubilizing bacteria” (ZSB) refers to a specific group of soil bacteria that are associated with zinc-solubilizing activity in the soil through a variety of mechanisms. The functional use of ZSB has been proposed for the zinc (Zn) biofortification of crops to address Zn malnutrition. The application of zinc-solubilizing bacterial inoculants that harbor significant plant probiotic traits offers an eco-friendly approach to producing crops with improved Zn content in various edible parts of plants. In soil, ZSB solubilize complex forms of Zn compounds by producing organic acids and employing other mechanisms (such as the secretion of “siderophore,” extrusion of “proton,” expression of “oxidoreductive systems” on cell membranes, and secretion of “chelated ligands”), making the resulting soluble form of zinc readily accessible to plants. ZSB also act as plant growth stimulators, demonstrating both direct and indirect mechanisms that promote robust plant growth. In recent years, the application of two or more ZSB strains in a consortium has gained attention as a cost-effective alternative for Zn biofortification. This approach may serve as a promising strategy for promoting plant growth and optimizing yield performance. This review discusses various methods of Zn biofortification, highlighting ZSB and their consortia in increasing Zn content in grains and other edible crop parts, as well as the mechanisms involved in Zn solubilization by these bacteria. This insight paves the way for developing eco-friendly strategies that integrate microbial-based solutions to improve crop nutrient bioavailability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-51f26ba66e4c4314bb1edd0ac315374e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-51f26ba66e4c4314bb1edd0ac315374e2025-08-20T03:32:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-06-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15755141575514Zinc-solubilizing bacterial consortia: a promising approach for zinc biofortification of cropsViabhav Kumar Upadhayay0Saurabh Gangola1Gohar Taj2Kumar Gaurav3Anju Rani4Sunil Kumar5Shivanshu Garg6Gaurav Gupta7Haider Ali8Sazada Siddiqui9Saad A. M. Alamri10Amit Mittal11Sulaiman A. Alrumman12Mayank Pandey13Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, IndiaDepartment of Microbiology, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, IndiaDepartment of Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (U. S. Nagar), Uttarakhand, IndiaSchool of Agriculture, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, IndiaDepartment of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, IndiaDepartment of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, IndiaDepartment of Biochemistry, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (U. S. Nagar), Uttarakhand, IndiaCentre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, IndiaCenter for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IndiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Allied Sciences, Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal, IndiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia0Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Nainital, IndiaThe term “zinc-solubilizing bacteria” (ZSB) refers to a specific group of soil bacteria that are associated with zinc-solubilizing activity in the soil through a variety of mechanisms. The functional use of ZSB has been proposed for the zinc (Zn) biofortification of crops to address Zn malnutrition. The application of zinc-solubilizing bacterial inoculants that harbor significant plant probiotic traits offers an eco-friendly approach to producing crops with improved Zn content in various edible parts of plants. In soil, ZSB solubilize complex forms of Zn compounds by producing organic acids and employing other mechanisms (such as the secretion of “siderophore,” extrusion of “proton,” expression of “oxidoreductive systems” on cell membranes, and secretion of “chelated ligands”), making the resulting soluble form of zinc readily accessible to plants. ZSB also act as plant growth stimulators, demonstrating both direct and indirect mechanisms that promote robust plant growth. In recent years, the application of two or more ZSB strains in a consortium has gained attention as a cost-effective alternative for Zn biofortification. This approach may serve as a promising strategy for promoting plant growth and optimizing yield performance. This review discusses various methods of Zn biofortification, highlighting ZSB and their consortia in increasing Zn content in grains and other edible crop parts, as well as the mechanisms involved in Zn solubilization by these bacteria. This insight paves the way for developing eco-friendly strategies that integrate microbial-based solutions to improve crop nutrient bioavailability.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1575514/fullbacteriabiofortificationconsortiumplant nutrientzinc |
| spellingShingle | Viabhav Kumar Upadhayay Saurabh Gangola Gohar Taj Kumar Gaurav Anju Rani Sunil Kumar Shivanshu Garg Gaurav Gupta Haider Ali Sazada Siddiqui Saad A. M. Alamri Amit Mittal Sulaiman A. Alrumman Mayank Pandey Zinc-solubilizing bacterial consortia: a promising approach for zinc biofortification of crops Frontiers in Microbiology bacteria biofortification consortium plant nutrient zinc |
| title | Zinc-solubilizing bacterial consortia: a promising approach for zinc biofortification of crops |
| title_full | Zinc-solubilizing bacterial consortia: a promising approach for zinc biofortification of crops |
| title_fullStr | Zinc-solubilizing bacterial consortia: a promising approach for zinc biofortification of crops |
| title_full_unstemmed | Zinc-solubilizing bacterial consortia: a promising approach for zinc biofortification of crops |
| title_short | Zinc-solubilizing bacterial consortia: a promising approach for zinc biofortification of crops |
| title_sort | zinc solubilizing bacterial consortia a promising approach for zinc biofortification of crops |
| topic | bacteria biofortification consortium plant nutrient zinc |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1575514/full |
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