Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agriculture: Advancements, Challenges, and Future Directions
Alondra María Díaz-Rodríguez,
Fannie Isela Parra Cota,
Luis Alberto Cira Chávez,
Luis Fernando García Ortega,
María Isabel Estrada Alvarado,
Gustavo Santoyo,
Sergio de los Santos-Villalobos
Affiliations
Alondra María Díaz-Rodríguez
Laboratory of Microbial Resource Biotechnology, Department of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences, Sonora Institute of Technology, 5 de Febrero 818, Centro, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Sonora, Mexico
Fannie Isela Parra Cota
Norman E. Borlaug-INIFAP Experimental Field, Norman E. Borlaug Km. 12, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Sonora, Mexico
Luis Alberto Cira Chávez
Laboratory of Microbial Resource Biotechnology, Department of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences, Sonora Institute of Technology, 5 de Febrero 818, Centro, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Sonora, Mexico
Luis Fernando García Ortega
Laboratory of Learning and Research in Biological Computation, Department of Genetic Engineering, CINVESTAV-IPN, Km 9.6 Libramiento Norte, Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, Mexico
María Isabel Estrada Alvarado
Laboratory of Microbial Resource Biotechnology, Department of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences, Sonora Institute of Technology, 5 de Febrero 818, Centro, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Sonora, Mexico
Gustavo Santoyo
Institute of Chemical Biological Research, Michoacan University of San Nicolas de Hidalgo, Morelia 58030, Michoacan, Mexico
Sergio de los Santos-Villalobos
Laboratory of Microbial Resource Biotechnology, Department of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences, Sonora Institute of Technology, 5 de Febrero 818, Centro, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Sonora, Mexico
The rapid growth of the human population has significantly increased the demand for food, leading to the intensification of agricultural practices that negatively impact the environment. Climate change poses a significant threat to global food production, as it can disrupt crop yields and modify the lifecycle stages of phytopathogens and pests. To address these challenges, the use of microbial inoculants, which are bioproducts containing beneficial microorganisms known as plant growth promotion microorganisms (PGPMs), has emerged as an innovative approach in sustainable agriculture. This review covers the isolation and identification of beneficial strains, the screening and selection process, the optimization of production techniques, and the importance of quality control and field testing. It also discusses the key points for the development and formulation of high-quality microbial inoculants, as well as highlights their advancements, current challenges, and future directions for research and application.
