Microbial Bioactives
Microbial Bioactives | Online ISSN 2209-2161
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Volume 9 Number 1 2026
REVIEWS (Open Access)
Beneficial Microbiota and Nutrient-Mediated Strategies for Mitigating Cadmium Stress in Crop Plants
Laurie E. Comstock 1*, Takalani Whitney Maake 2*, Phumzile Sibisi 2*
Microbial Bioactives 9 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.9110617
Submitted: 11 December 2025 Revised: 10 February 2026 Accepted: 17 February 2026 Published: 19 February 2026
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils poses a significant threat to crop productivity, food safety, and human health. Cd disrupts plant growth by impairing nutrient and water uptake, inducing oxidative stress, and interfering with photosynthesis, ultimately leading to reduced yields and quality. Traditional chemical remediation approaches are often environmentally unsustainable and may fail to adequately address Cd bioavailability in complex soil-plant systems. Recent research has highlighted the crucial role of beneficial microbiota associated with crop plants, including Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB), Fungi (PGPF), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, in mitigating Cd stress. These microbes enhance nutrient uptake, regulate hormonal balance, and improve plant tolerance to heavy metal stress through mechanisms such as chelation, siderophore production, and competition for essential ions. Simultaneously, targeted nutrient management—particularly of sulfur, phosphorus, zinc, iron, calcium, and silicon—interacts synergistically with microbial activity to reduce Cd uptake and promote detoxification processes. Systematic review and meta-analytic evidence suggest that integrated strategies combining beneficial microbial inoculants with optimized nutrient supplementation can substantially decrease Cd accumulation, improve antioxidant defenses, and support plant growth under contaminated conditions. Despite variability in experimental conditions and microbial strains, the convergence of evidence emphasizes a biologically grounded, sustainable framework for addressing Cd toxicity. This approach not only strengthens plant resilience but also contributes to the long-term safety and sustainability of agricultural production systems.
Keywords: Beneficial microbiota, cadmium stress, nutrient management, Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria, Plant Growth-Promoting Fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, heavy metal mitigation, sustainable agriculture.
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