Potential Application of Microbial Metabolites for Sustainable Agriculture and Waste Management

The extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pest controlling chemicals has depleted the quality of the soil and has actually led to stressed environment. Most of the chemical agents that are used in agriculture are recalcitrant in nature, as a result of which they tend to remain in the environment and ultimately alter the vital properties of the environment. The existing vegetation is severely impacted by the alteration of the physicochemical properties of the environment. The various life forms including terrestrial and aquatic organisms are also adversely affected by the vigorous application of synthetic chemicals. Suitable green and biodegradable alternatives can tackle the increasing risks embedded by the uncontrolled usage of chemical fertilizers. Microbes are like soldiers having tremendous potential to produce secondary metabolites that would aid in restoration of polluted sites and also stimulate plant growth. Microbial exopolysaccharides are another important component that is gaining importance due to their attractive properties that would aid in mitigation of emerging contaminants from the environment. They also pose antimicrobial or cell lysis activity which suggests that they can be widely used as biological alternatives to chemical pesticides that would ultimately aid in paving toward sustainable agriculture. Such exopolysaccharides may also improve the microbial ecology, enhancing the favorable microbes that would improve plant growth and also improve the soil quality. Several microbes dwelling in the rhizospheric zone possess plant growth promoting traits, which aid the plant growth by improving nutrients acquisition, pest control, etc. The present chapter shall focus on the development of biopesticides utilizing microbial metabolites to control the pests that severely impose negative impact on crop yield. It shall also discuss the various ways by which the microbes can mitigate environmental pollution and provide a suitable environment for plant growth.