Plant Probiotic Microbes: Boon for Sustainable Agriculture and Waste Management Practices

Industrial microbiology and advancements in biotechnology have revolutionized the agriculture sector by increasing the use of living microbes as biopesticides and biofertilizers which ultimately function as alternatives to chemical pesticides and fertilizers. These biopesticides and biofertilizers have gained significant attention due to their potential benefits for plants and are also commercially as well as environmentally sustainable. Many procedures are currently employed for the development of these biopesticides/biofertilizers but still need more attention to increase the shelf life of these bio-products. Apart from that, many microbes have been reported as a valuable tool for the bioremediation of persistent pollutants of soil and water using various strategies for the removal of recalcitrant compounds. As individual organisms, biopesticides and biofertilizers have shown reliable results on the crop yield, but there will be other consequences, while one is adding foreign microbes into the soil. Microbial ecology plays a vital role. It is the complex intricate relationships between microorganisms and their roles in shaping agricultural ecosystems. From soil microbial communities to interactions with plants, it affects agricultural productivity. This chapter emphasizes on the reliance on microorganisms used in sustainable agriculture and waste management sectors.