Functional dynamics of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) in Adaptation to Abiotic Stress and Enhancement of Crop Productivity.

Authors

  • Karima Jmaili Hassan II University of Casablanca (https://ror.org/001q4kn48), Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment, Team: Biotechnologies, Resource Valorisation, Quality, Health and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, BP 146, Mohammedia 20650, Morocco
  • Bouchaib Bahlaouan Higher Institutes of Nursing and Health Technical Professions (ISPITS) (https://ror.org/007h8y788), Laboratory of Care, Health and Sustainable Development 2S2D, Higher Institutes of the Nursing Professions and Techniques of Health ISPITS Casablanca 22500, Morocco
  • Alla Silkina Swansea University (https://ror.org/053fq8t95), Algal Research Group, Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
  • Mohamed Lahrairi Hassan II University of Casablanca (https://ror.org/001q4kn48), Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment, Team: Biotechnologies, Resource Valorisation, Quality, Health and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, BP 146, Mohammedia 20650, Morocco
  • Nadia Boutaleb Hassan II University of Casablanca (https://ror.org/001q4kn48), Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment, Team: Biotechnologies, Resource Valorisation, Quality, Health and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, BP 146, Mohammedia 20650, Morocco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.25.103623

Keywords:

Microbial biostimulant, PGPB, Abiotic stress

Abstract

In the context of sustainable agriculture, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are key microbial biostimulants. These beneficial microorganisms enhance nutrient uptake, strengthen plant defence mechanisms, and improve tolerance to abiotic stresses, contributing to reduced reliance on chemical inputs. Bacterial genera such as Azospirillum, Rhizobium, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas have demonstrated positive effects on crop yield and quality, even under challenging conditions including salinity, drought, and heavy metal contamination. Their beneficial actions include several mechanisms, such as phytohormone production, nutrient solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and modulation of gene expression linked to plant defence and metabolism. The efficacy of these bacteria varies according to microbial strain, plant species, and environmental context. This review shows the agronomic value of PGPB and emphasizes the importance of continued research into their functional interactions in resilient and environment-friendly farming systems.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Karima Jmaili, Hassan II University of Casablanca (https://ror.org/001q4kn48), Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment, Team: Biotechnologies, Resource Valorisation, Quality, Health and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, BP 146, Mohammedia 20650, Morocco

PhD candidate in Biotechnology, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment (LBAME), Faculty of Science and Technology, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco

Bouchaib Bahlaouan, Higher Institutes of Nursing and Health Technical Professions (ISPITS) (https://ror.org/007h8y788), Laboratory of Care, Health and Sustainable Development 2S2D, Higher Institutes of the Nursing Professions and Techniques of Health ISPITS Casablanca 22500, Morocco

Professor of Health Sciences and Interim Director of Studies at ISPITS Casablanca. Director of the Laboratory of Care, Health and Sustainable Development (2S2D). President of the Moroccan Association for Environmental and Health Sciences and Technologies (AMSTES). Editor-in-Chief of the journal Natural Built Social Environment Health (NBSEH). Coordinator of the Bachelor of Professional Nursing Practice and the Master’s Programme in Advanced Emergency Practices at ISPITS Casablanca.

Alla Silkina, Swansea University (https://ror.org/053fq8t95), Algal Research Group, Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom

Research Officer in the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, United Kingdom. Her research focuses on algal biotechnology and environmental applications of marine bioresources

Mohamed Lahrairi, Hassan II University of Casablanca (https://ror.org/001q4kn48), Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment, Team: Biotechnologies, Resource Valorisation, Quality, Health and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, BP 146, Mohammedia 20650, Morocco

PhD candidate in Biotechnology, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment (LBAME), Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco

Nadia Boutaleb, Hassan II University of Casablanca (https://ror.org/001q4kn48), Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment, Team: Biotechnologies, Resource Valorisation, Quality, Health and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, BP 146, Mohammedia 20650, Morocco

Professor of Agri-Food and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment (LBAME), Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco. Vice-President of AMSTES.

References

Shahrajabian, M. H., Petropoulos, S. A., & Sun, W., 2023, Survey of the Influences of Microbial Biostimulants on Horticultural Crops: Case Studies and Successful Paradigms. Horticulturae 9(2), 193. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020193

Jmaili, K., Asbai, Z., Waddi, K., Bahlaouan, B., Silkina, A., & Boutaleb, N., 2025, Non-microbial biostimulants for plant growth and abiotic stress mitigation: a review of recent scientific innovations. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2025.2457867

Melini, F., Melini, V., Luziatelli, F., Jaoudé, R. A., Ficca, A. G., & Ruzzi, M., 2023, Effect of microbial plant biostimulants on fruit and vegetable quality: current research lines and future perspectives. Frontiers in Plant Science 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1251544

Rai, N., Rai, S. P., & Sarma, B. K., 2021, Prospects for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crops Utilizing Phyto- and Bio-Stimulants. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.754853

Kaushal, P., Ali, N., Saini, S., Pati, P. K., & Pati, A. M., 2023, Physiological and molecular insight of microbial biostimulants for sustainable agriculture. Frontiers in Plant Science 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1041413

Miglani, R., Parveen, N., Kumar, A., Ansari, M. A., Khanna, S., Rawat, G., Panda, A. K., Bisht, S. S., Upadhyay, J., & Ansari, M. N., 2022, Degradation of Xenobiotic Pollutants: An Environmentally Sustainable Approach. Metabolites 12(9), 818. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo12090818

Ansari, M., Devi, B. M., Sarkar, A., Chattopadhyay, A., Satnami, L., Balu, P., Choudhary, M., Shahid, M. A., & Jailani, A. A. K., 2023, Microbial Exudates as Biostimulants : Role in Plant Growth Promotion and Stress Mitigation. Journal of Xenobiotics 13(4), 572-603. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13040037

Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 laying down rules on the making available on the market of EU fertilising products and amending Regulations (EC) No 1069/2009 and (EC) No 1107/2009 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 (Text with EEA relevance), vol. 170. 2019. Consulted on: 15 March 2025. Available on: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/1009/oj/eng

Sanjuán, J., Nápoles, M. C., Pérez-Mendoza, D., Lorite, M. J., & Rodríguez-Navarro, D. N., 2023, Microbials for Agriculture: Why Do They Call Them Biostimulants When They Mean Probiotics? Microorganisms 11(1), 153. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11010153

Stegelmeier, A. A., Rose, D. M., Joris, B. R., & Glick, B. R., 2022, The Use of PGPB to Promote Plant Hydroponic Growth. Plants 11(20), 2783. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202783

Kumari, E., Kumari, S., Das, S. S., Mahapatra, M., & Sahoo, J. P., 2023, Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) for Sustainable Agriculture: Current Prospective and Future Challenges. AgroEnvironmental Sustainability 1(3), 274-285. https://doi.org/10.59983/s2023010309

Poria, V., Dębiec-Andrzejewska, K., Fiodor, A., Lyzohub, M., Ajijah, N., Singh, S., & Pranaw, K., 2022, Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) integrated phytotechnology : A sustainable approach for remediation of marginal lands. Frontiers in Plant Science 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.999866

Fusco, G. M., Nicastro, R., Rouphael, Y., & Carillo, P., 2022, The Effects of the Microbial Biostimulants Approved by EU Regulation 2019/1009 on Yield and Quality of Vegetable Crops. Foods 11(17), 2656. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11172656

Kumari, M., Swarupa, P., Kesari, K. K., & Kumar, A., 2022, Microbial Inoculants as Plant Biostimulants : A Review on Risk Status. Life 13(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13010012

Ali, S., Moon, Y., Hamayun, M., Khan, M. A., Bibi, K., & Lee, I., 2022, Pragmatic role of microbial plant biostimulants in abiotic stress relief in crop plants. Journal of Plant Interactions 17(1), 705-718. https://doi.org/10.1080/17429145.2022.2091801

Baltazar, M., Correia, S., Guinan, K. J., Sujeeth, N., Bragança, R., & Gonçalves, B., 2021, Recent Advances in the Molecular Effects of Biostimulants in Plants: An Overview. Biomolecules 11(8), 1096. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11081096

Al-Garni, S. M. S., Khan, M. M. A., & Bahieldin, A., 2019, Plant growth-promoting bacteria and silicon fertilizer enhance plant growth and salinity tolerance in Coriandrum sativum. Journal of Plant Interactions 14(1), 386-396. https://doi.org/10.1080/17429145.2019.1641635

Kolega, S., Miras-Moreno, B., Buffagni, V., Lucini, L., Valentinuzzi, F., Maver, M., Mimmo, T., Trevisan, M., Pii, Y., & Cesco, S., 2020, Nutraceutical Profiles of Two Hydroponically Grown Sweet Basil Cultivars as Affected by the Composition of the Nutrient Solution and the Inoculation With Azospirillum brasilense. Frontiers in Plant Science 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.596000

Kordi, S., Salmasi, S. Z., Kolvanagh, J. S., Weisany, W., & Shannon, D. A., 2020, Intercropping System and N2 Fixing Bacteria Can Increase Land Use Efficiency and Improve the Essential Oil Quantity and Quality of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Frontiers in Plant Science 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.610026

Jain, D., Sharma, J., Kaur, G., Bhojiya, A. A., Chauhan, S., Sharma, V., Suman, A., Mohanty, S. R., & Maharjan, E., 2021, Phenetic and Molecular Diversity of Nitrogen Fixating Plant Growth Promoting Azotobacter Isolated from Semiarid Regions of India. BioMed Research International 2021, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6686283

Ayuso-Calles, M., García-Estévez, I., Jiménez-Gómez, A., Flores-Félix, J. D., Escribano-Bailón, M. T., & Rivas, R., 2020, Rhizobium laguerreae Improves Productivity and Phenolic Compound Content of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under Saline Stress Conditions. Foods 9(9), 1166. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9091166

Jiménez‐Gómez, A., García‐Estévez, I., García‐Fraile, P., Escribano‐Bailón, M. T., & Rivas, R., 2020, Increase in phenolic compounds of Coriandrum sativum L. after the application of a Bacillus halotolerans biofertilizer. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture 100(6), 2742-2749. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.10306

Lin, Y., & Jones, M. L., 2021, Evaluating the Growth-promoting Effects of Microbial Biostimulants on Greenhouse Floriculture Crops. HortScience 57(1), 97-109. https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci16149-21

Ma, Y., Freitas, H., & Dias, M. C., 2022, Strategies and prospects for biostimulants to alleviate abiotic stress in plants. Frontiers in Plant Science 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1024243

Castiglione, A. M., Mannino, G., Contartese, V., Bertea, C. M., & Ertani, A., 2021, Microbial Biostimulants as Response to Modern Agriculture Needs: Composition, Role and Application of These Innovative Products. Plants 10(8), 1533. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081533

Fahsi, N., Mahdi, I., Mesfioui, A., Biskri, L., & Allaoui, A., 2021, Phosphate solubilizing rhizobacteria isolated from jujubeziziphus lotus plant stimulate wheat germination rate and seedlings growth. PeerJ 9, e11583. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11583

Sun, W., & Shahrajabian, M. H., 2023, The Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi as Microbial Biostimulant, Sustainable Approaches in Modern Agriculture. Plants 12(17), 3101. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173101

Asbai, Z., Bahlaouan, B., El Antri, S., Brett-Crowther, M., & Boutaleb, N., 2025, Innovations in Organo-mineral Fertilizers: A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable Practices, Controlled Nutrient Release, and Coating Strategies. Natural Built Social Environment Health 1(3), 3. https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.25.458899

He, Y., Pantigoso, H., Wu, Z., & Vivanco, J., 2019. Co‐inoculation of Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas putida at different development stages acts as a biostimulant to promote growth, yield and nutrient uptake of tomato. Journal of Applied Microbiology 127(1), 196-207. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.14273

Nguyen, M. L., Glaes, J., Spaepen, S., Bodson, B., Du Jardin, P., & Delaplace, P., 2019, Biostimulant effects of Bacillus strains on wheat from in vitro towards field conditions are modulated by nitrogen supply. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 182(3), 325-334. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201700610

Jiménez, J., Novinscak, A., & Filion, M., 2019, Pseudomonas fluorescens LBUM677 differentially increases plant biomass, total oil content and lipid composition in three oilseed crops. Journal of Applied Microbiology 128(4), 1119-1127. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.14536

Visen, A., Singh, P. N., Chakraborty, B., Singh, A., & Bisht, T. S., 2021, Scanning electron microscopy indicates Pseudomonad strains facilitate AMF mycorrhization in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) air-layers and improving survivability, growth and leaf nutrient status. Current Research in Microbial Sciences 2, 100063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmicr.2021.100063

Kang, S., Khan, A. L., Waqas, M., Asaf, S., Lee, K., Park, Y., Kim, A., Khan, M. A., You, Y., & Lee, I., 2019, Integrated phytohormone production by the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Bacillus tequilensis SSB07 induced thermotolerance in soybean. Journal of Plant Interactions 14(1), 416-423. https://doi.org/10.1080/17429145.2019.1640294

Mandal, S., Anand, U., López-Bucio, J., Radha, N., Kumar, M., Lal, M. K., Tiwari, R. K., & Dey, A., 2023, Biostimulants and environmental stress mitigation in crops : A novel and emerging approach for agricultural sustainability under climate change. Environmental Research 233, 116357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116357

Rashid, U., Yasmin, H., Hassan, M. N., Naz, R., Nosheen, A., Sajjad, M., Ilyas, N., Keyani, R., Jabeen, Z., Mumtaz, S., Alyemeni, M. N., & Ahmad, P., 2021, Drought-tolerant Bacillus megaterium isolated from semi-arid conditions induces systemic tolerance of wheat under drought conditions. Plant Cell Reports 41(3), 549-569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-020-02640-x

Kim, S. T., Yoo, S., Weon, H., Song, J., & Sang, M. K., 2022, Bacillus butanolivorans KJ40 contributes alleviation of drought stress in pepper plants by modulating antioxidant and polyphenolic compounds. Scientia Horticulturae 301, 111111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111111

Saleem, S., Iqbal, A., Ahmed, F., & Ahmad, M., 2021, Phytobeneficial and salt stress mitigating efficacy of IAA producing salt tolerant strains in Gossypium hirsutum. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 28(9), 5317-5324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.05.056

Ali, B., Hafeez, A., Ahmad, S., Javed, M. A., Sumaira, N., Afridi, M. S., Dawoud, T. M., Almaary, K. S., Muresan, C. C., Marc, R. A., Alkhalifah, D. H. M., & Selim, S., 2022, Bacillus thuringiensis PM25 ameliorates oxidative damage of salinity stress in maize via regulating growth, leaf pigments, antioxidant defense system, and stress responsive gene expression. Frontiers in Plant Science 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.921668

Mokabel, S., Olama, Z., Ali, S., & El-Dakak, R., 2022, The Role of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizosphere Microbiome as Alternative Biofertilizer in Boosting Solanum melongena L. Adaptation to Salinity Stress. Plants 11(5), 659. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11050659

Mellidou, I., Ainalidou, A., Papadopoulou, A., Leontidou, K., Genitsaris, S., Karagiannis, E., Van de Poel, B., & Karamanoli, K., 2021, Comparative Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Reveal an Intricate Priming Mechanism Involved in PGPR-Mediated Salt Tolerance in Tomato. Frontiers in Plant Science 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.713984

Sapre, S., Gontia-Mishra, I., & Tiwari, S., 2021, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Ameliorates Salinity Stress in Pea (Pisum sativum). Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 41(2), 647-656. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-021-10329-y

Mahdi, I., Fahsi, N., Hafidi, M., Benjelloun, S., Allaoui, A., & Biskri, L., 2021, Rhizospheric Phosphate Solubilizing Bacillus atrophaeus GQJK17 S8 Increases Quinoa Seedling, Withstands Heavy Metals, and Mitigates Salt Stress. Sustainability 13(6), 3307. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063307

Yu, Y., Gui, Y., Li, Z., Jiang, C., Guo, J., & Niu, D., 2022, Induced Systemic Resistance for Improving Plant Immunity by Beneficial Microbes. Plants 11(3), 386. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030386

Franzoni, G., Cocetta, G., Prinsi, B., Ferrante, A., & Espen, L., 2022, Biostimulants on Crops : Their Impact under Abiotic Stress Conditions. Horticulturae 8(3), 189. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8030189

Adedayo, A. A., & Babalola, O. O., 2023, The potential of biostimulants on soil microbial community: a review. Frontiers in Industrial Microbiology 1. https://doi.org/10.3389/finmi.2023.1308641

Naamala, J., Msimbira, L. A., Antar, M., Subramanian, S., & Smith, D. L., 2022, Cell-Free Supernatant Obtained from a Salt Tolerant Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strain Enhances Germination and Radicle Length Under NaCl Stressed and Optimal Conditions. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.788939

Chu, T. N., Tran, B. T. H., Van Bui, L., & Hoang, M. T. T., 2019, Plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonas PS01 induces salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. BMC Research Notes, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4046-1

Shabaan, M., Asghar, H. N., Zahir, Z. A., Zhang, X., Sardar, M. F., & Li, H., 2022, Salt-Tolerant PGPR Confer Salt Tolerance to Maize Through Enhanced Soil Biological Health, Enzymatic Activities, Nutrient Uptake and Antioxidant Defense. Frontiers in Microbiology 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.901865

Yadav, S., Modi, P., Dave, A., Vijapura, A., Patel, D., & Patel, M., 2020, Effect of Abiotic Stress on Crops. Intech Open eBooks. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88434

Eswaran, S. U. D., Sundaram, L., Perveen, K., Bukhari, N. A., & Sayyed, R. Z., 2024, Osmolyte-producing microbial biostimulants regulate the growth of Arachis hypogaea L. under drought stress. BMC Microbiology 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-024-03320-6

Akhtar, N., Ilyas, N., Mashwani, Z., Hayat, R., Yasmin, H., Noureldeen, A., & Ahmad, P., 2021, Synergistic effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and silicon dioxide nano-particles for amelioration of drought stress in wheat. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 166, 160-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.05.039

Irshad, A., Rehman, R. N. U., Kareem, H. A., Yang, P., & Hu, T., 2021, Addressing the challenge of cold stress resilience with the synergistic effect of Rhizobium inoculation and exogenous melatonin application in Medicago truncatula. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 226, 112816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112816

Expósito, C. D. V., López, J. Á., Liu, J., Bao, N., Liang, J., & Zhang, J., 2022, Development of a cold-active microbial compound biofertilizer on the improvement for rice (Oryza sativa L.) tolerance at low-temperature. Rhizosphere 24, 100586.

Ghimire, S., Bhattarai, T. N., & Paudel, S. R., 2025, Save Soil: Phytoremediation to Restore Nepal’s Contaminated Soils. Natural Built Social Environment Health 1(3), 3. https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.25.293237

This study explores the functional mechanisms by which Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) enhance crop productivity and strengthen resilience to abiotic stress. Both through direct actions—such as nitrogen fixation, phytohormone production, and nutrient solubilization—and indirect strategies—including antioxidant activity, regulation of osmotic balance, and the production of ACC-deaminase, siderophores, and exopolysaccharides—PGPB contribute to improved plant growth and defence. By reinforcing nutrition and triggering protective mechanisms, these beneficial microbes are central to sustainable agriculture. They are an alternative to chemical inputs, particularly under conditions characterized by environmental stress.

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2025-06-21

How to Cite

Jmaili, K., Bahlaouan, B., Silkina, A., Lahrairi, M., & Boutaleb, N. (2025). Functional dynamics of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) in Adaptation to Abiotic Stress and Enhancement of Crop Productivity. Natural Built Social Environment Health, 1(3), 125–157. https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.25.103623

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3