Advancing environmental sustainability through microbial reprogramming in growth improvement, stress alleviation, and phytoremediation
Babar Iqbal,
Guanlin Li,
Khulood Fahad Alabbosh,
Hamad Hussain,
Ismail Khan,
Muhammad Tariq,
Qaiser Javed,
Muhammad Naeem,
Naveed Ahmad
Affiliations
Babar Iqbal
Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
Guanlin Li
Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
Khulood Fahad Alabbosh
Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
Hamad Hussain
Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Chemical and Life Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
Ismail Khan
Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Muhammad Tariq
Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Qaiser Javed
Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Muhammad Naeem
Department of Plant Science, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; Corresponding authors.
Naveed Ahmad
Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; Corresponding authors.
The substantial influence of microbes on crop growth, stress resilience, and ecological restoration has generated considerable interest due to the complex interplay between these microorganisms and plants. This review comprehensively examines the diverse mechanisms through which microorganisms contribute to plant well-being, mitigate stress, and facilitate phytoremediation processes. Microorganisms encompassing bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses, have demonstrated their knack for stirring up growth-enabling hormones, activating pathways tuned to stress, and ameliorating the availability of nutrients by means of fixation and solubilization Furthermore, such microorganisms also display immense potential in phytoremediation strategies by aiding plants in the extraction, alteration, and detoxification of contaminants found in both soil and water. Complementing this, these microbes enable phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, and rhizodegradation, owing to their harmonious interaction with plants for the purification of tainted environments. However, it is critical to address legal issues, moral dilemmas, and potential unintended consequences as microorganisms are increasingly incorporated into ecological restoration and sustainable agriculture methods. Optimizing microbial therapies and ensuring their appropriate use offers promising insights when leveraging cutting-edge technologies like omics and genetic engineering. In addition, coordination among academics, practitioners, and policymakers is still crucial in the quest for a more robust and peaceful coexistence between microbes, plants, and ecosystems. In a nutshell, this work highlights the pivotal role that microorganisms are poised to assume, guiding the trajectory of agriculture, alleviating stress, and fostering environmental sustainability with far-reaching implications.
