Role of Soil Microbes in Sustainable Crop Production
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant–Soil Interactions".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 720
Special Issue Editors
Interests: environmental science; plant growth promotion; soil science; biosystems engineering; soil microbiology; molecular biology; microbial ecology; microorganisms
Interests: plant–microbe interactions; soil microbiology; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; environmental microbiology; microbial diversity; plant growth-promoting microbes; biocontrol; strigolactone
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The role of soil microbes offers promising, eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for sustainable crop production in addressing global challenges such as soil and ecosystem degradation, climate change, water scarcity, increased pest and disease incidence, nutrient imbalances and intensive agriculture. These interconnected threats—exacerbated by rising temperatures, extreme weather events, soil erosion, biodiversity loss and the need to feed a growing population—demand resilient solutions that maintain or enhance yields while minimizing environmental harm. This approach encompasses the development and application of biofertilizers, biopesticides and microbial inoculants for practical field use. Here, soil microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and other rhizosphere inhabitants, play a pivotal role in enhancing crop productivity while reducing dependence on chemical inputs. These microbes contribute to sustainable crop production and protection through direct and indirect mechanisms. Additionally, they improve soil structure, accelerate organic matter cycling, boost carbon sequestration and enhance resilience to abiotic stresses and biotic pressures, thereby fostering healthier agroecosystems, higher yields with lower environmental impact and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from farming. This Special Issue primarily focuses on recent findings regarding the influence of these factors on microbial communities and their functional roles in nutrient cycling, soil structure formation, direct and indirect growth promotion, soil microbiome dynamics and assembly, enhancement of soil fertility, disease suppression and overall ecosystem resilience. These aspects are crucial for supporting long-term food security, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem stability for future generations, aligning with global goals for regenerative agriculture and climate-smart practices. By harnessing microbial diversity and functions, agriculture can transition toward more sustainable and adaptive systems that mitigate degradation while meeting rising food demands.
Dr. Snežana Anđelković
Dr. Debasis Mitra
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- plant-microbe interactions
- rhizosphere and soil microbiome dynamics
- plant growth-promoting microorganisms
- biotic and abiotic stress
- direct and indirect mechanisms
- biofertilizers and biopesticides
- biocontrol agents
- nutrient cycling and disease suppression
- induced systemic resistance
- microbial inoculants
- sustainable agriculture
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