Microbial Dynamics within Rhizosphere: An Aspect to Agricultural Sustainability

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Numerous anthropogenic activities, such as novel agricultural practices, coal mining, industrial pollution, etc., pose a negative impact on the environment. Such factors cause the accumulation of different pollutants within the ecosystem, ultimately hampering the plants as well as animals. However, plants possess a series of physiological as well as molecular mechanisms for defense and resistance. The global population has posed a significant food challenge, therefore, to ensure food security, soil nutrition, agricultural productivity as well as fertility, different sustainable aspects should be kept in mind. Chemical fertilizers dilapidate the ecological balance along with human health, henceforth the microflora present in the rhizosphere acts as quintessential elements. Microbes such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and mycorrhizae have been formulated as biofertilizers in agriculture that enhance their nutrient uptake as well as yield, along with providing resistance against different stressors. Biofertilizers have been shown to provide a positive outcome for plants, therefore, an array of microbial strains have been selected and formulated to be used in the agricultural sector. These are based on rhizobacterial species, endophytes, and mycorrhizae. Regardless of the challenges observed in the production, usage, and application, these have been proven to be the exclusive alternatives for chemical-based fertilizers. Therefore, their elaborate understanding will offer new approaches to sustainable agriculture. Biofertilizers not only boost crop yield and soil fertility but also interact with plants to trigger their immune systems, physiological processes, growth, and development. They also enable solubilization of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, zinc, potassium, and silica that promote plant growth. Most importantly, they are cost-effective, toxin-free, eco-friendly, and serve as the best alternative for chemical fertilizers. In this chapter, we have highlighted the microbial dynamics within the rhizospheric zone and its significance in agriculture by its usage as biofertilizers for sustainable crop production.