Summary
This review examines the role of biofilms in plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and their agricultural application. The authors argue that biofilm formation is a critical mechanism enabling PGPB to colonise plant surfaces, compete with other microorganisms, and provide multiple benefits including enhanced stress tolerance, pathogen defence and nutrient cycling. The paper synthesises current understanding of biofilm-forming strategies and identifies factors influencing their formation at plant root and shoot interfaces, with implications for developing more efficacious bacterial inoculants.
UK applicability
The microbial mechanisms described are universal and applicable to UK crop and horticultural systems. However, the review's value for UK practice depends on field validation under temperate conditions and integration with existing soil management practices; the abstract does not specify whether the cited evidence derives from UK trials or climate-analogous regions.
Key measures
Biofilm formation capability, bacterial colonisation efficiency, pathogen resistance, nutrient acquisition, abiotic stress tolerance, agricultural productivity and crop yield enhancement
Outcomes reported
This review synthesises evidence on how plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) form biofilms to colonise plant roots and shoots, and examines the mechanisms by which biofilms enhance bacterial survival, nutrient cycling, pathogen defence and stress tolerance. The paper discusses factors influencing biofilm formation and implications for developing effective bacterial formulations in agriculture.
Topic tags
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