Summary
This review, published in Frontiers in Plant Science (2025), synthesises current understanding of plant-microbe interactions and their potential to improve nutrient acquisition and stress resilience in crop systems. Drawing on evidence from rhizosphere biology, the authors likely evaluate strategies including the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), mycorrhizal inoculants, and endophytic microorganisms as tools for reducing dependence on synthetic inputs. The paper contributes to the growing body of literature supporting microbiome-informed approaches as a component of sustainable agricultural intensification.
UK applicability
Although the authorship and institutional base appear predominantly Chinese, the mechanisms and strategies reviewed are broadly applicable to UK arable and horticultural systems, particularly in the context of post-Brexit agricultural policy encouraging reduced synthetic fertiliser use and soil health improvement under the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Key measures
Plant nutrient acquisition efficiency; crop resilience indicators; microbial community diversity and function; nitrogen fixation rates; phosphate solubilisation activity
Outcomes reported
The review likely examines strategies by which beneficial plant-associated microorganisms enhance crop nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and overall resilience, synthesising evidence across multiple cropping contexts. It probably reports on mechanisms such as biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilisation, phytohormone production, and induced systemic resistance.
Topic tags
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