Deciphering the Role of Nanoparticles Induced Microbial Exopolysaccharides in Soil Amelioration and Plant Health

Improved agricultural output by using traditional methods is not environmentally sustainable. Several factors pose risks to the environment, including an increase in the use of synthetic agrochemicals, a decrease in soil nutrients and problems associated with water consumption. Increasing agricultural output in a sustainable manner is, therefore, essential for reviving soil fertility, feeding the population, and protecting the environment. Microbial inoculants that are gentle on the environment are one strategy for doing this. There is growing evidence that different types of microbes are capable of biosynthesizing exopolysaccharide (EPS). EPS production by bacteria and fungi has been extensively studied due to their numerous advantages. The composition of the growing medium and the fermentation conditions are just two examples of the many variables that affect the structural and physical characteristics of EPS. Nanoparticles can also enhance the yield of EPS by acting as nucleation sites for bacterial attachment and growth. Moreover, there is a lack of literature on the potential use of EPS as an alternative to synthetic agrochemicals. Hence, the present review attempts to summarize an overview on effect of nanoparticle-induced EPS-producing plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPM) on abiotic stress mitigation and the possibility of using EPS to sustainably improve crop production in the agro-food system.