Extremophiles and Their Genetic Aspects of Potential Bioactive/Metabolites Beneficial for Promoting Plant Health and Soil Fertility

Since the last decade, enthusiasts tried to isolate extremophilic microorganisms and their metabolite profile for their potential use in the changing climate scenario. Extremophiles are a class of microbes that can survive and survive in environments that are physically, chemically, and nutritionally extreme and harsh. Extremophile microbes can colonize the rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and also tissues of the plant, e.g., endophytes. Crop-associated microbiomes can synthesize phytohormones, solubilize, and bind nutrients in addition to inducing pathogen-resistance responses in plants. It can also support plant growth in harsh environments. A novel and burgeoning application in agricultural production systems is made possible by using these microbes on their own to reduce stresses on crop plants. An excellent model for studying adaptation, stress tolerance, and response is also provided by these microbes. Hence, the main aim of this chapter is to describe scientific studies conducted so far on the use of extremophiles and their genetic potential to boost plant growth, crop yields, soil health, and quality for sustainable agricultural development under the climate change scenario.