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Agronomy
Special Issues
Applications of Soil Microorganisms for Sustainable Crop Production
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Applications of Soil Microorganisms for Sustainable Crop Production

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 13556

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alba N. Mininni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures: Architecture, Environment, Cultural Heritage, University of Basilicata, Matera, Italy
Interests: soil chemistry; sustainable soil management practices; soil fertility and conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The essential need to move towards a sustainable crop production, including through the reduction of chemical inputs, focuses our attention on the innovative and promising use of microorganisms in agriculture.

Previous experimental research showed that individual microorganisms or microbial consortia applied to plants or the soil rhizosphere can have multiple plant-beneficial effects, such as plant growth promotion by improving nutrients and water uptake and use efficiency, increased tolerance to abiotic stress, as well as resistance and protection from biotic stress, leading to an overall improvement of crop quality.

Investigating the complex interactions between microorganisms themselves and between the microbiome and plants represents a great challenge for a new way of thinking and sustaining worldwide crop production. By studying, researching, and developing microbial groups which, if applied to a specific agroecosystem, are able to establish synergic interactions with native microflora and crops, it is possible to enhance the soil microbiome and its functions with all potential beneficial effects for crops.

In this Special Issue, we aim to share any knowledge about microorganisms’ features and their interactions in different agroecosystems, thus facilitating their application on a larger scale in order to improve crop yield and quality while simultaneously reducing chemical inputs.

Prof. Dr. Alba N. Mininni
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • beneficial microorganisms
  • soil microbiome
  • rhizosphere
  • growth promotion
  • water and nutrient use efficiency
  • stress tolerance
  • yield
  • synergic interactions
  • sustainable production

Published Papers (6 papers)

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16 pages, 2375 KiB  
Article
Inoculum of a Native Microbial Starter Cocktail to Optimize Fine-Aroma Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Bean Fermentation
by César E. Falconí, Viviana Yánez-Mendizábal, Roberto J. Haro and Darwin R. Claudio
Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2572; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102572 - 07 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1246
Abstract
Fine-aroma cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is one of Ecuador’s most iconic export products and comprises 63% of world production. Nevertheless, few advances have been made to improve fermentation processes that might benefit the development of chocolate’s organoleptic characteristics. The study of starter [...] Read more.
Fine-aroma cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is one of Ecuador’s most iconic export products and comprises 63% of world production. Nevertheless, few advances have been made to improve fermentation processes that might benefit the development of chocolate’s organoleptic characteristics. The study of starter cultures, which seek to improve organoleptic properties or decrease fermentation time, has been investigated in other countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a native microbial cocktail based on two yeasts (Torulaspora delbrueckii and Hanseniaspora uvarum), a lactic acid bacterium (LAB) (Limosilactobacillus plantarum), and an acetic acid bacterium (AAB) (Acetobacter ghanensis) inoculated at the beginning of the fermentative process while tracking physical and biochemical variables, microbial population dynamics, and bean fermentation time. The starter culture caused changes in sugar and acid content and increased polyphenols, which in turn generated temperature and pH changes in the dough. The dynamics of yeast, AAB, and mesophilic microorganisms remain higher than the controls throughout the process. A decrease in filamentous fungi that affect the flavor and quality of beans was observed due to the production of acetic acid or secondary metabolites from yeasts and LAB, and resulted in 24% greater fermentation than spontaneous fermentation in only 96 h. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Soil Microorganisms for Sustainable Crop Production)
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16 pages, 2873 KiB  
Article
Enhancement of Soil Available Nutrients and Crop Growth in Sustainable Agriculture by a Biocontrol Bacterium Lysobacter enzymogenes LE16: Preliminary Results in Controlled Conditions
by Danmei Chen, Qingfu Liu, Guangqi Zhang and Lipeng Zang
Agronomy 2023, 13(6), 1453; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061453 - 24 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1090
Abstract
The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers has led to adverse environmental impacts and poor crop quality and accelerates the depletion of mineral reserves used for fertilizer production. Microbes are vital in soil nutrient cycling, and some effectively enhance soil nutrient supply and reduce [...] Read more.
The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers has led to adverse environmental impacts and poor crop quality and accelerates the depletion of mineral reserves used for fertilizer production. Microbes are vital in soil nutrient cycling, and some effectively enhance soil nutrient supply and reduce chemical fertilizer usage. Biocontrol bacterium Lysobacter enzymogenes LE16 can produce various hydrolases against plant pathogens to mineralize soil organics via enzyme production. Therefore, the enzyme production, soil organic P and N mineralization, and crop agronomic performances induced by L. enzymogenes LE16 were investigated by pure culture, soil incubation, and greenhouse pot experiments. L. enzymogenes LE16 can hydrolyze lecithin and protein and convert them to inorganic P and NH4+-N. Similarly, available P and N increased as this bacterium was inoculated and grown in the tested soil. In the greenhouse pot experiment, phosphomonoesterase and protease produced by L. enzymogenes LE16 inoculant effectively mineralized soil organic P and N and enhanced soil available nutrients, thereby improving the nutrient uptake, fertilizer utilization rate, and agronomic efficiency of lettuce and pepper seedlings. Bacterial inoculation increased the lettuce yield by 6.43–11.30% and pepper fruit yield by 43.82–70.32%, even with less chemical fertilizer application. Therefore, L. enzymogenes LE16 can hydrolyze lecithin and protein in pure cultures, and mineralize organic P and N in soils, thus improving crop yield and quality and reducing chemical fertilizer application via the production of phosphomonoesterase and protease. L. enzymogenes LE16 shows potential for sustainable agriculture beyond plant protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Soil Microorganisms for Sustainable Crop Production)
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17 pages, 589 KiB  
Article
Foliar Spray Inoculation with Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Associated with Nitrogen Doses in Megathyrsus maximus cv. BRS Zuri
by Gabriela da Silva Freitas, Adônis Moreira, Marcelo Falaci Prudencio, Reges Heinrichs, Marco Antonio Nogueira, Mariangela Hungria and Cecílio Viega Soares Filho
Agronomy 2023, 13(4), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13041040 - 31 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2787
Abstract
This study evaluated the combined effect of foliar spray inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and nitrogen doses on the yield, development, and nutritive value of Megathyrsus maximus cv. BRS Zuri. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications, with repeated measures [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the combined effect of foliar spray inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and nitrogen doses on the yield, development, and nutritive value of Megathyrsus maximus cv. BRS Zuri. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications, with repeated measures in time. Foliar inoculation of two bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense Ab-V5 (CNPSo 2083) and Ab-V6 (CNPSo 2084) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (CNPSo 2799)) and 40 and 80 kg ha−1 N (urea) rates, in addition to the control (without inoculation and N fertilization), were applied. In the rainy season, at the level of 40 kg ha−1 of N, inoculation of both A. brasilense and P. fluorescens increased, respectively, the tiller number by 33% and 25% (22 February), and the N accumulated in tissues by 42% and 25% (22 January), while in the previous year (21 February) the beneficial effects of both bacteria were observed in the percentage of leaf blade and in the true digestibility in vitro. When the foliar spray was inoculated with A. brasilense Ab-V5 and Ab-V6 and P. fluorescens CNPSo 2799, with 80 kg N ha−1, the root system of Zuri grass increased by 61% and 30%, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Soil Microorganisms for Sustainable Crop Production)
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26 pages, 1169 KiB  
Article
Cultivating Biodiversity to Harvest Sustainability: Vermicomposting and Inoculation of Microorganisms for Soil Preservation and Resilience
by Maysa Mathias Alves Pereira, Ludmila Caproni Moraes, María Cristina Troya Mogollón, Carlos Junio Falconi Borja, Mateus Duarte, Victor Hugo Teixeira Buttrós, José Magno Queiroz Luz, Moacir Pasqual and Joyce Dória
Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010103 - 28 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2014
Abstract
Based on the concepts of circular economy and bioeconomy, the reuse of agrifood residues through vermicomposting can help solve serious environmental problems such as soil contamination and degradation, erosion and climate change. In this sense, the objective was to identify, quantify and analyze [...] Read more.
Based on the concepts of circular economy and bioeconomy, the reuse of agrifood residues through vermicomposting can help solve serious environmental problems such as soil contamination and degradation, erosion and climate change. In this sense, the objective was to identify, quantify and analyze the physical, chemical, hormonal, amino acid content and microbial biodiversity of three formulations of vermicompost, with and without inoculation of microorganisms from native forest and commercial formulation, aiming at the production of an organic fertilizer rich in microorganisms for use in sustainable production systems. As a result, the vermicompost formulations presented values higher than the minimum requirements stipulated by Brazilian legislation for the registration of class A composite organic fertilizer. There is a significant difference between the vermicomposts, in the parameters related to the content of phosphorus, auxin, tryptophan and organic matter, as well as the relation between humic and fulvic acids. Bacillus sp. and Trichoderma sp. were also influenced by the type of vermicompost formulation. In addition, inoculation with microorganisms from native forest promoted an increase in biodiversity, in which the presence of Actinomyces sp. and Azotobacter chrooccocum contribute to the reduction in the levels of heavy metals in the compost. It is concluded that vermicomposting is a potential tool in the reuse of agri-food residues, with expressive microbial diversity that can influence plant growth, suppression of pathogens, minimize or reduce the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses on plant production, in addition to contributing to maintenance of soil biodiversity, integral fertility and resilience to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Soil Microorganisms for Sustainable Crop Production)
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14 pages, 587 KiB  
Article
Management of Cumin Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum Using Native Endophytic Bacteria
by Kamal A. M. Abo-Elyousr, Maged M. Saad, Adel D. Al-Qurashi, Omer H. M. Ibrahim and Magdi A. A. Mousa
Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2510; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102510 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3508
Abstract
Eleven endophytic bacteria were isolated from the roots of cumin, a medicinal plant grown in Assiut Province, Egypt. The strains KAU2025 and KAU2022 exhibited the highest inhibition rate against Fusarium oxysporum (FOC7) (64%) in dual culture test and were selected for further studies. [...] Read more.
Eleven endophytic bacteria were isolated from the roots of cumin, a medicinal plant grown in Assiut Province, Egypt. The strains KAU2025 and KAU2022 exhibited the highest inhibition rate against Fusarium oxysporum (FOC7) (64%) in dual culture test and were selected for further studies. KAU2022 and KAU2025 were identified as Brevibacillus parabrevis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, respectively, based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The isolates increased the seed germination of cumin by 46.6% compared to that in the control infected with the pathogen F. oxysporum (FOC7). Additionally, the biocontrol efficacy of B. parabrevis against Fusarium wilt in cumin was determined as 67.4% in pot experiments, and both the bioagents increased the fresh and dry weight of the cumin plant compared to the infected control. After a 24 h treatment, the peroxidase levels in the cumin plants were higher in the P. fluorescens and B. parabrevis-treated groups, and the level of polyphenol oxidase increased in both treatments compared to the infected control. The treatment of cumin with both strains increased the total phenol and flavonoid contents in the treated plants. In summary, B. parabrevis and P. fluorescens are promising agents for the biocontrol of Fusarium wilt in cumin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Soil Microorganisms for Sustainable Crop Production)
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16 pages, 1123 KiB  
Perspective
Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Symbiosis as a Factor of Asteraceae Species Invasion
by Sonya Sokornova, Daniil Malygin, Anton Terentev and Viktor Dolzhenko
Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 3214; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12123214 - 18 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2003
Abstract
Invasive weeds of the Asteraceae family are widespread in the world. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is one of the main factors contributing to the successful distribution of these species that is most clearly manifested in the subfamily Asteroideae. The benefits of plant-AMF symbiosis are [...] Read more.
Invasive weeds of the Asteraceae family are widespread in the world. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is one of the main factors contributing to the successful distribution of these species that is most clearly manifested in the subfamily Asteroideae. The benefits of plant-AMF symbiosis are most significant under unfavorable biotic and abiotic conditions. The specificity of the relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities and plants and is determined at the presymbiotic stage. The AMF colonization level is higher in invasive species than in native ones, but AMF communities associated with Asteraceae invasive species are less diverse. AMF communities of Asteraceae invaders often include fewer common species (e.g., species belonging to Diversisporales). Invaders also reduce native AMF species richness in new areas. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can form mycorrhizal networks that allow the redistribution of nutrients in plant communities. The most significant influence of AMF associated with invasive Asteraceae plants is seen in the formation of soil and rhizosphere microbiota, including the suppression of beneficial soil bacteria and fungi. This review could be useful in the development of practical recommendations for the use of AMF-based fertilizers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Soil Microorganisms for Sustainable Crop Production)
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