Summary
This comprehensive narrative review synthesises current evidence on the mechanisms by which biofertilisers — principally PGPR — contribute to sustainable agriculture through biological nitrogen fixation, nutrient solubilisation, and phytohormone-mediated growth promotion. The paper identifies key constraints to field-scale adoption, including inconsistent microbial performance under varying environmental conditions and inadequate regulatory frameworks. It likely concludes with recommendations for future research directions and policy development to support broader integration of biofertilisers into mainstream agricultural practice.
Regional applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK arable and horticultural systems, where interest in reducing synthetic fertiliser dependency has intensified following post-Brexit agricultural policy reform and rising input costs; however, the review's global scope means specific strain recommendations would require validation under UK soil and climate conditions.
Key measures
Nitrogen fixation capacity; phosphorus, potassium and zinc solubilisation; phytohormone production; microbial survival rates; crop yield improvements; stress mitigation indicators
Outcomes reported
The review examines how biofertilisers, particularly plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), enhance nutrient cycling, crop productivity and stress resilience, and assesses barriers to their widespread adoption including field performance variability and regulatory gaps.
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