Summary
This 2025 review, authored by a consortium of Mexican and international researchers, synthesises current knowledge on microbial inoculants as tools for reducing dependence on synthetic agrochemicals in sustainable farming systems. It examines advances in the understanding of plant–microbe interactions, the performance of inoculants under field conditions, and the technical and regulatory obstacles that constrain their commercial deployment. The paper likely concludes with a forward-looking agenda identifying key gaps in formulation science, strain selection, and integration with existing agronomic practices.
UK applicability
Although the authorship and likely empirical context are centred on Mexico and Latin America, the principles and challenges discussed — including inoculant shelf-life, soil specificity, and regulatory frameworks — are broadly relevant to UK sustainable farming policy and the growing interest in biostimulants under post-Brexit agricultural transition.
Key measures
Inoculant efficacy indicators (crop yield, plant growth promotion); mechanisms of action (nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilisation, phytohormone production); adoption barriers; regulatory and formulation challenges
Outcomes reported
The review examines the efficacy, mechanistic basis, and limitations of microbial inoculants in agricultural settings, and outlines research priorities and practical pathways for their wider adoption. It likely assesses evidence across plant growth-promoting bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and related biological inputs in relation to crop productivity and soil health.
Topic tags
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