Exploring the landscape of biofertilizers containing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Iran: Progress and research prospects

The use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, while effective for plant nutrition, poses environmental pollution risks due to their overuse and imbalance. Sustainable agricultural solutions are required to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizers, which harness the potential of bene...

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Main Authors: Houshang Khosravi, Bahman Khoshru, Alireza Fallah Nosratabad, Debasis Mitra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-01-01
Series:Current Research in Microbial Sciences
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517424000506
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author Houshang Khosravi
Bahman Khoshru
Alireza Fallah Nosratabad
Debasis Mitra
author_facet Houshang Khosravi
Bahman Khoshru
Alireza Fallah Nosratabad
Debasis Mitra
author_sort Houshang Khosravi
collection DOAJ
description The use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, while effective for plant nutrition, poses environmental pollution risks due to their overuse and imbalance. Sustainable agricultural solutions are required to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizers, which harness the potential of beneficial soil microorganisms, are a promising alternative. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial soil bacteria for the preparing of biofertilizers, as they enhance plant growth through various mechanisms, such as nitrogen fixation, hormone production, and nutrient solubilization. Although significant results have been achieved in laboratory and greenhouse experiments, field studies are relatively limited. In the last three decades, research has been conducted on PGPR in Iran but The Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI) has been a focal point for concentrated and continuous research on PGPR biofertilizers, resulting in the development of various biofertilizers containing Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus strains. In any case, biofertilizers still do not have a significant place in Iran's agriculture compared to chemical fertilizers. Challenges to the research, development, and adoption of PGPR biofertilizers in Iran include reliance on chemical fertilizers, low soil organic matter, and limited coordination among research, production, and extension efforts. However, there are opportunities for growth, including skilled professionals, technical knowledge, and existing infrastructure in the private sector, as well as an increasing demand for organic and sustainable products. To further develop PGPR biofertilizers in Iran, it is recommended to increase soil organic matter, conduct molecular research to enhance PGPR efficiency, establish research extension farms, and promote the benefits of biofertilizer use. These measures could contribute to broader adoption of biofertilizers and sustainable agricultural practices in Iran.
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spelling doaj-art-e1bc88d89a854addb8834ca2298fcf2f2025-08-20T02:30:32ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Microbial Sciences2666-51742024-01-01710026810.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100268Exploring the landscape of biofertilizers containing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Iran: Progress and research prospectsHoushang Khosravi0Bahman Khoshru1Alireza Fallah Nosratabad2Debasis Mitra3Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, 31785-311, Iran; Corresponding author at: Soil Biology and Biotechnology Department, Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, Iran, P.O.BOX: 31785-311.Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, 31785-311, IranSoil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, 31785-311, IranDepartment of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, IndiaThe use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, while effective for plant nutrition, poses environmental pollution risks due to their overuse and imbalance. Sustainable agricultural solutions are required to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizers, which harness the potential of beneficial soil microorganisms, are a promising alternative. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial soil bacteria for the preparing of biofertilizers, as they enhance plant growth through various mechanisms, such as nitrogen fixation, hormone production, and nutrient solubilization. Although significant results have been achieved in laboratory and greenhouse experiments, field studies are relatively limited. In the last three decades, research has been conducted on PGPR in Iran but The Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI) has been a focal point for concentrated and continuous research on PGPR biofertilizers, resulting in the development of various biofertilizers containing Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus strains. In any case, biofertilizers still do not have a significant place in Iran's agriculture compared to chemical fertilizers. Challenges to the research, development, and adoption of PGPR biofertilizers in Iran include reliance on chemical fertilizers, low soil organic matter, and limited coordination among research, production, and extension efforts. However, there are opportunities for growth, including skilled professionals, technical knowledge, and existing infrastructure in the private sector, as well as an increasing demand for organic and sustainable products. To further develop PGPR biofertilizers in Iran, it is recommended to increase soil organic matter, conduct molecular research to enhance PGPR efficiency, establish research extension farms, and promote the benefits of biofertilizer use. These measures could contribute to broader adoption of biofertilizers and sustainable agricultural practices in Iran.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517424000506Chemical fertilizersCommercializationEnvironmental healthInoculant
spellingShingle Houshang Khosravi
Bahman Khoshru
Alireza Fallah Nosratabad
Debasis Mitra
Exploring the landscape of biofertilizers containing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Iran: Progress and research prospects
Current Research in Microbial Sciences
Chemical fertilizers
Commercialization
Environmental health
Inoculant
title Exploring the landscape of biofertilizers containing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Iran: Progress and research prospects
title_full Exploring the landscape of biofertilizers containing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Iran: Progress and research prospects
title_fullStr Exploring the landscape of biofertilizers containing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Iran: Progress and research prospects
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the landscape of biofertilizers containing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Iran: Progress and research prospects
title_short Exploring the landscape of biofertilizers containing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Iran: Progress and research prospects
title_sort exploring the landscape of biofertilizers containing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in iran progress and research prospects
topic Chemical fertilizers
Commercialization
Environmental health
Inoculant
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517424000506
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