Summary
This review examines plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs)—including bacteria, filamentous fungi, and yeasts—as dual-function agents for disease suppression and growth enhancement in sustainable agriculture. The authors detail mechanisms including nutrient solubilisation, phytohormone production, and direct antagonism against pathogens, whilst critically addressing implementation barriers such as inconsistent field performance, microbial survival challenges, and regulatory constraints. The paper suggests recent advances may improve practical deployment of PGPM-based biocontrols as alternatives to conventional agrochemicals.
Regional applicability
Findings are potentially applicable to UK horticulture and cereal production where regulatory approval of biopesticides is advancing and agrochemical restrictions are tightening. However, successful adoption will depend on resolving colonisation variability in UK soil and climatic conditions, and aligning PGPM products with existing UK and EU regulatory frameworks for plant protection products.
Key measures
Mechanisms of pathogen suppression; plant growth enhancement; microbial colonisation; field persistence; regulatory compliance; antagonistic activity against plant pathogens
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on mechanisms by which plant growth-promoting microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts) suppress pathogens and enhance plant growth through nutrient solubilisation, phytohormone production, and antagonistic activity. It identifies key challenges to field application including variability in performance, survival under field conditions, and regulatory barriers.
Topic tags
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