Summary
This narrative review synthesises evidence on the mechanisms through which microbial fertilisers improve soil ecosystem function and plant performance. The paper describes how soil microorganisms recruited through root exudates enhance soil structure via extracellular polysaccharide production, improve nutrient bioavailability for plants, and suppress pathogenic infection through competitive exclusion and systemic resistance induction. The authors present microbial fertilisers as a sustainable agricultural strategy with potential to increase productivity whilst maintaining soil health.
Regional applicability
The findings on microbial fertiliser benefits are potentially applicable to UK horticulture and arable systems, though field efficacy may depend on local soil conditions, climate, and microbial community assembly. UK practitioners should seek evidence-based microbial fertiliser products validated under temperate growing conditions before adoption.
Key measures
Soil microorganism richness; soil microecological balance; soil aggregate stability; soil compaction; plant absorption and utilisation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; fruit yield; fruit quality; pathogen resistance mechanisms
Outcomes reported
The study measured effects of microbial fertiliser application on soil microbial richness, soil physicochemical properties, soil aggregate stability, plant nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), fruit yield and quality, and pathogen suppression through induced systemic resistance.
Topic tags
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