Microbial Biotechnology for Soil Health and Plant Nutrition: Mechanisms and Future Prospects

Hina Fatima¹, Muhammad Anas Bin Abdul Qadeer¹, Mujeeb Ur Rahman Khan², Muhammad Sajad^1*, Muhammad Ali Kharal³, Sidra Anam⁴, Muhammad Aizaz⁵, Fayyaz Hussain⁵

Microbial biotechnology strengthens soil health and plant nutrition by utilizing beneficial microbes, promoting sustainability, reducing chemical inputs, and enhancing crop resilience.

Abstract

Microbial biotechnology is emerging as a transformative solution for restoring soil health and promoting sustainable agriculture amid escalating climatical challenges. This review explores the integral roles of beneficial microbes, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate- and potassium-solubilizing microorganisms, mycorrhizal fungi, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, in enhancing nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and crop productivity. The microbial interactions in the rhizosphere that promote nutrient uptake, inhibit soil-borne diseases, and increase plant resistance to abiotic stress are disscussed. The review details how microbial consortia, microbial enzymes, and bioinoculants influence soil structure, water retention, and humus formation are contributing to improved soil functionality. It also highlights microbial biofertilizers’ application methods, including seed coating and foliar sprays, which reduce dependency on chemical inputs and mitigate environmental degradation. Advanced techniques such as bioremediation, metagenomics, and synthetic biology offer promising avenues for rehabilitating polluted soils and designing crop-specific microbial formulations. Despite proven benefits, field-level challenges including strain viability, environmental adaptability, and regulatory hurdles hinder wide-scale adoption. The review addresses these constraints and suggests solutions through formulation technologies, policy reforms, and farmer education. Future perspectives integrate microbial biotechnology with AI-driven precision agriculture, genome editing tools like CRISPR, and smart delivery systems for enhancing field performance. Collectively, microbial biotechnology stands as a pillar for next-generation agriculture by improving soil health, fostering ecological balance, and enabling food security in a climate-resilient manner.

Keywords: Soil, Plant growth, Microbial biotechnology, Plant nutrition, Sustainable agriculture.

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