Potencial biotecnológico de las microalgas como biofertilizantes para mitigar el estrés salino en cultivos

Biofertilizers and Biostimulants for Sustainable Rosaceae Crop Production

The Rosaceae family includes some of the most economically important fruit and nut crops worldwide, such as apples, strawberries, and almonds. Increasing market demand and climate constraints have intensified reliance on synthetic fertilizers, leading to environmental degradation and reduced ecosystem resilience. In response, sustainable alternatives, such as organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and biostimulants, have gained increasing attention. Here, we review recent findings in the application of these ecofriendly inputs in Rosaceae crops, using almonds (Prunus dulcis) as a representative case study. We highlight the roles of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in improving nutrient availability, stress tolerance, soil fertility, and crop productivity through mechanisms including biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, phytohormone modulation, and enhanced plant defense responses. Evidence from field, greenhouse, and controlled experimental studies has indicated that rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, as well as organic fertilizers, enhance nutrient uptake, photosynthetic efficiency, fruit yields, and quality while supporting soil biodiversity and long-term orchard sustainability. Despite their demonstrated benefits, the adoption of biofertilizers and biostimulants in almond orchards remains limited. This review discusses the current challenges, knowledge gaps, and future perspectives for integrating microbial-based solutions into sustainable Rosaceae cultivation systems.

Molasses-amended siderophore biofertilizer reshapes the rhizosphere microbiome, promotes growth and reduces lipid peroxidation in Ocimum basilicum L

Introduction Siderophore-producing bacteria and their metabolites represent promising components of next-generation biofertilizers, yet their effects on plant physiology and soil microbiome structure remain insufficiently understood. Methods We developed a liquid biofertilizer based on siderophores and siderophore-accompanying metabolites (SSAM) produced by Pseudomonas sp. ANT_H12B and formulated with molasses as an organic carrier. Its effects on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) were evaluated by assessing plant growth, photosynthetic performance, lipid peroxidation, elemental composition, soil enzyme activities, and bacterial community structure using full-length 16S rRNA nanopore sequencing. Results The combined SSAM+molasses formulation significantly enhanced plant growth, increasing leaf dry biomass by nearly 180%, leaf number by more than 300%, and stem length by approximately 40–50% compared with untreated plants. Improved plant performance was accompanied by enhanced photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/FM) and a marked reduction in oxidative stress, as reflected by nearly 50% lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared with the molasses-only treatment. Although elemental analysis revealed no major disturbances in plant nutrient balance among treatments, soil supplementation with the combined formulation strongly affected rhizosphere functioning and microbiome composition. In particular, the SSAM+molasses treatment coincided with approximately 35–50% higher β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase activities and clear shifts in microbial community structure. Discussion These findings suggest that molasses-enriched siderophore metabolites may act as effective biostimulants by promoting plant growth and mitigating oxidative stress, partly through modulation of rhizosphere microbiome structure and function.

Caracterização morfofisiológica, molecular e funcional de Mycobacterium agroflorensis com potencial para o desenvolvimento de bioinsumos e promoção do crescimento vegetal

The growing demand for sustainable agricultural systems has stimulated the development of microbial bioinputs capable of reducing dependence on mineral fertilizers while improving the efficient use of natural resources. In this context, the prospecting and characterization of plant growth-promoting bacteria represent a promising strategy to increase agricultural productivity and support environmental sustainability. This study aimed to perform the morphophysiological, molecular, and functional characterization of the experimental strain Mycobacterium agroflorensis, evaluating its potential for application as an agricultural bioinput. The research included macroscopic and microscopic characterization, cultivation on Middlebrook 7H10 medium, assessment of bacterial growth under different temperature and pH conditions, molecular identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and investigation of plant growth-promoting mechanisms, including phytohormone production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and genes associated with plant–bacteria interaction. Agronomic assays were also conducted under controlled environmental conditions, combined with Internet of Things (IoT)-based environmental monitoring, to evaluate bacterial inoculation in different crop species. The results demonstrated that M. agroflorensis exhibited high phenotypic stability, optimal growth at 30 °C and pH 7.0, morphological characteristics consistent with the genus Mycobacterium, and functional traits associated with plant growth promotion. Bacterial inoculation improved plant development and demonstrated promising potential for application in sustainable agricultural systems. These findings highlight the biotechnological potential of M. agroflorensis as a candidate for the development of agricultural bioinputs, contributing to low-carbon agriculture and advancing research in agricultural microbiology.

Bioprospecting osmotolerant phyllosphere bacteria: functional characterization and biotechnological application for enhanced nutrient use efficiency in solanum crops

Assessment of Biofertilizers and Biozyme Application for Sustainable Chrysanthemum Cultivation

The mechanisms, applications and benefits of biofertilizers and biozymes in chrysanthemum production are summarized and current knowledge gaps and future research needs are highlighted for developing efficient, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable floriculture systems.

Biofertilization with Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus: Effects of a Native Isolate and a Reference Strain on Soil and Foliar Chemical Profiles and Economic Performance in Greenhouse Tomato Production

The intensive use of synthetic fertilizers in horticulture generates environmental and economic constraints, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives such as plant growth-promoting bacteria. However, their effectiveness depends on strain adaptation to local conditions. This study evaluated the effect of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (native isolate GIBI029 vs. reference strain ATCC 49037) under four nitrogen (0 and 100% of the recommended dose) and phosphorus (0 and 100% of the recommended dose) fertilization combinations on soil chemical properties, foliar nutrient uptake, and economic performance in greenhouse tomato production in Colombia. The native isolate was associated with higher soil nutrient levels, reaching 185.1 g/kg organic matter, 6.4 g/kg total nitrogen, 284.75 mg/kg available phosphorus, 9.32 cmol/kg calcium, and 3.93 cmol/kg magnesium. In addition, foliar nitrogen content reached 22.4 g/kg in treatments inoculated with GIBI029. These responses were associated with yields up to 106.4 t/ha, exceeding those obtained with the reference strain. Yield data were obtained from a previous study conducted under the same experimental design and environmental conditions and were incorporated here exclusively for the economic assessment. Economically, the native isolate achieved the highest benefit–cost ratio (2.65) and net income (USD 20,106/ha). A strong correlation between soil organic matter and nitrogen (r = 0.99) was observed, indicating a close association between these variables within the evaluated production system. These results suggest that strain origin may influence biofertilization efficiency and indicate that native microbial inoculants can contribute to improved agronomic and economic performance under the conditions evaluated, supporting their use in sustainable tomato production systems.