Overview of biofertilizers in crop production and stress management for sustainable agriculture

Summary

This narrative review examines biofertilisers as an alternative to synthetic fertilisers for sustainable crop production in developing countries facing food security challenges. The authors synthesise evidence on how biofertilisers deliver nutrition through natural processes including nitrogen fixation, phosphorus and potassium solubilisation, and hormone production, whilst simultaneously conferring protection against multiple abiotic and biotic stresses. The review positions biofertilisers as ecologically and economically viable solutions that can meet crop nutrient demands without the environmental and soil degradation costs associated with high synthetic fertiliser use.

UK applicability

Whilst the review's emphasis on food security in developing countries may differ from UK policy priorities, the mechanisms of biofertiliser action and stress mitigation are broadly applicable to UK arable and mixed farming systems. UK adoption would require evaluation of biofertiliser efficacy under temperate growing conditions and integration with existing regulatory frameworks for fertiliser products and soil health management.

Key measures

Mechanisms of biofertiliser action (nutrient solubilisation, nitrogen fixation, siderophore production, hydrolytic enzyme activity); crop productivity outcomes; tolerance to abiotic stress factors (soil salinity, drought, temperature extremes, waterlogging); tolerance to biotic stressors (weeds, phytopathogens)

Outcomes reported

The review synthesises evidence on biofertiliser mechanisms of action, including nutrient solubilisation, nitrogen fixation, hormone production, and pathogen suppression. It examines the role of biofertilisers in enhancing crop productivity and tolerance to both abiotic (salinity, drought, temperature, waterlogging) and biotic (bacterial, viral, fungal, and nematode) stresses.

Topic tags