Role of Microbial Plant Biostimulants in Abiotic Stress Mitigation

Dear Colleagues,

Microbial plant biostimulants play a crucial role in mitigating abiotic stresses by enhancing the resilience and productivity of crops. These biostimulants consist of various microorganisms, including endophytic and rhizospheric fungi and bacteria, which interact with plants to improve nutrient uptake, hormone regulation, and stress tolerance mechanisms. Through mechanisms such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and the production of phytohormones, microbial biostimulants enhance the availability and uptake of essential nutrients by plants, thereby promoting growth and development even under adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, these microorganisms can induce systemic resistance in plants, priming them to respond more effectively to stressors and reducing the negative impacts on crop yield and quality. Furthermore, microbial biostimulants contribute to soil health and sustainability by promoting beneficial microbial communities, improving soil structure, and enhancing nutrient cycling. Their ability to enhance plant performance while reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides makes them a promising solution for sustainable agriculture in the face of increasing environmental challenges. Overall, the role of microbial plant biostimulants in abiotic stress mitigation underscores their potential to contribute to food security, environmental sustainability, and resilience in agricultural systems worldwide. This research collection aims to highlight the advances in our understanding of the knowledge of microbial plant biostimulants to mitigate adverse environmental conditions, with a main focus on the fungal and bacterial endophytes, rhizospheric microorganisms, plant–microbe interactions, plant physiology, cellular and biochemical effects, environmental stresses, and stress mitigation. Meanwhile, studies on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular level of plant–microbe interactions are also welcome.

Dr. Sajid Ali
Guest Editor

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• microbial biostimulants
• rhizobacteria
• fungal endophytes
• bacterial endophytes
• soil health
• organic farming
• horticulture
• crop plants
• abiotic stress
• stress mitigation
• sustainable agriculture