Microbial bioformulation-based plant biostimulants: a plausible approach toward next generation of sustainable agriculture

Abstract

In context to sustainable agriculture practices, the agro-ecological system aims at optimizing the economic and environmental performances of beneficial ecosystem services to optimize the agricultural food production for future growing population, preserving the natural resources. The synthetic chemicals used in the agriculture to increase yields, kill pathogens, pests, and weeds have a big harmful impact on the ecosystem. Biostimulants can be used as a tool to complement the use of chemical inputs, by involving nonliving-based products, or living-based products, containing beneficial rhizosphere microbiome, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and beneficial fungi. Increase in soil fertility, plant growth promotion, and suppression of phytopathogens are the targets of the bioformulation industry that leads to the development of ecofriendly environment. Pest management research has also made major advances in the development of efficient biocontrol methods. Elicitors and semiochemicals are considered to be some of the most promising tools for inducing plant resistance to various diseases and enhancing natural predation, respectively. Bioformulations offer an environmentally sustainable approach to increase crop production and health, contributing substantially in making the 21st century the age of biotechnology. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.