Summary
This narrative review, published in Microorganisms in 2025, synthesises current knowledge on engineering the rice microbiome — including rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and endophytic communities — to support sustainable production. The authors examine mechanisms by which selected microbial consortia can replace or reduce dependence on synthetic fertilisers whilst conferring tolerance to drought, salinity, and other climate-related stresses. The paper is likely to assess both the scientific evidence and practical constraints of deploying microbiome-based interventions at scale in rice-growing regions.
UK applicability
Rice is not a significant crop in the UK, so direct agronomic applicability is limited; however, the microbiome engineering principles reviewed — particularly regarding biofertilisation, rhizosphere management, and climate resilience — have broader relevance to UK arable and soil health research, and to UK-funded agricultural development programmes in rice-producing countries.
Key measures
Biofertilisation efficacy; nitrogen fixation capacity; phosphorus solubilisation; plant growth promotion; stress tolerance indicators; greenhouse gas emissions (inferred); yield performance
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews strategies for engineering the rice-associated microbiome to enhance nutrient acquisition, abiotic stress tolerance, and resilience under changing climatic conditions. It likely evaluates the evidence base for microbial inoculants and rhizosphere manipulation as alternatives or complements to synthetic fertilisers in rice systems.
Topic tags
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