Harnessing Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms (PGPM) as Biofertilizers: A Pathway to Sustainable Crop Productivity and Soil Health

Plants face numerous biological and environmental challenges, exacerbated by climate change. Chemical solutions like fertilizers and pesticides raise concerns, making eco-friendly alternatives like plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) essential. PGPM enhance plant growth, stress tolerance, and pathogen suppression through improved nutrient uptake and metabolite production. PGPR boost phytohormones (IAA, gibberellins, cytokinins, ABA) and secondary metabolites (flavonoids, phenolics, siderophores), strengthening plant defenses. Osmoprotectants like proline, trehalose, and glycine betaine help mitigate drought and salinity stress. PGPR also aid in bioremediation and produce ammonia (NH3), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and catalase, supporting root growth and resilience. By enhancing crop yield and reducing environmental pollution, PGPR play a key role in sustainable agriculture. This review examines PGPM, focusing on plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), and highlights future research on microbial strains with enhanced metabolite production for stress mitigation.