Co- inoculant response of plant growth promoting non-rhizobial endophytic yeast Candida tropicalis VYW1 and Rhizobium sp. VRE1 for enhanced plant nutrition, nodulation, growth and soil nutrient status in Mungbean (Vigna mungo L.,)

Biochemical and Biotechnological Insights into Fungus-Plant Interactions for Enhanced Sustainable Agricultural and Industrial Processes

The literature is full of studies reporting environmental and health issues related to using traditional pesticides in food production and storage. Fortunately, alternatives have arisen in the last few decades, showing that organic agriculture is possible and economically feasible. And in this scenario, fungi may be helpful. In the natural environment, when associated with plants, these microorganisms offer plant-growth-promoting molecules, facilitate plant nutrient uptake, and antagonize phytopathogens. It is true that fungi can also be phytopathogenic, but even they can benefit agriculture in some way-since pathogenicity is species-specific, these fungi are shown to be useful against weeds (as bioherbicides). Finally, plant-associated yeasts and molds are natural biofactories, and the metabolites they produce while dwelling in leaves, flowers, roots, or the rhizosphere have the potential to be employed in different industrial activities. By addressing all these subjects, this manuscript comprehensively reviews the biotechnological uses of plant-associated fungi and, in addition, aims to sensitize academics, researchers, and investors to new alternatives for healthier and more environmentally friendly production processes.

Microbial Journey: Mount Everest to Mars

A rigorous exploration of microbial diversity has revealed its presence on Earth, deep oceans, and vast space. The presence of microbial life in diverse environmental conditions, ranging from moderate to extreme temperature, pH, salinity, oxygen, radiations, and altitudes, has provided the necessary impetus to search for them by extending the limits of their habitats. Microbiology started as a distinct science in the mid-nineteenth century and has provided inputs for the betterment of mankind during the last 150 years. As beneficial microbes are assets and pathogens are detrimental, studying both have its own merits. Scientists are nowadays working on illustrating the microbial dynamics in Earth's subsurface, deep sea, and polar regions. In addition to studying the role of microbes in the environment, the microbe-host interactions in humans, animals and plants are also unearthing newer insights that can help us to improve the health of the host by modulating the microbiota. Microbes have the potential to remediate persistent organic pollutants. Antimicrobial resistance which is a serious concern can also be tackled only after monitoring the spread of resistant microbes using disciplines of genomics and metagenomics The cognizance of microbiology has reached the top of the world. Space Missions are now looking for signs of life on the planets (specifically Mars), the Moon and beyond them. Among the most potent pieces of evidence to support the existence of life is to look for microbial, plant, and animal fossils. There is also an urgent need to deliberate and communicate these findings to layman and policymakers that would help them to take an adequate decision for better health and the environment around us. Here, we present a glimpse of recent advancements by scientists from around the world, exploring and exploiting microbial diversity.

Seed-Borne Probiotic Yeasts Foster Plant Growth and Elicit Health Protection in Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Black gram is one of the most indispensable components of the world food basket and the growth and health of the crop get influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. Beneficial phyto-microbes are one among them that influence the crop growth, more particularly the seed borne microbes are comparatively beneficial, that they pass from generation to generation and are associated with the plants from establishment to development. In the present study, twenty seed-borne yeasts were characterized and tested for growth promotion of black gram and their antagonism against black gram phytopathogens. Two yeasts, Pichia kudriavzevii POY5 and Issatchenkia terricola GRY4, produced indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, 1-amino cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase (ACCD), and plant defense enzymes. They solubilized phosphate and zinc and fixed atmospheric nitrogen. Inoculation of these two yeast isolates and Rhizobium BMBS1 improved the seed germination, physiological parameters and yield of black gram. Inoculation of Rhizoctonia solani-challenged plants with plant growth-promoting yeasts, resulted in the synthesis of defense-related enzymes such as peroxidases (POD), chitinases, catalase (CAT), and polyphenol oxidases (PPO). Thus, the seed-borne yeasts, Pichia kudriavzevii POY5 and Issatchenkia terricola GRY4, could be used as plant probiotics for black gram.

Effect of yeast application on soil health and root metabolic status of corn seedlings under drought stress

The soil enzymes are the heart of the biochemical reactions that occur in the soil saving the soil nutrients needed for plant growth. Recently yeast's importance as plant growth-promoting microorganisms has great attention. This study evaluated the effect of yeast application on the soil enzymes activity and root metabolic status in corn plants under drought stress. A pot experiment was performed. The pots were divided into two groups; the first group was used for yeast application, the other group was used as a non-treated group. Each group was subdivided into two groups according to water treatment. One is 75%; the other is 45% of field capacity. Soil and root samples were taken at 5, 10, and 15 days after drought application for analysis. Soil samples were subjected to NPK and soil enzymes activity analysis. The root samples were subjected to determination NPK content, the osmolytes, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes. The present results showed that yeast application upregulated the soil enzymes under drought which protected the NPK content in the soil. Therefore NPK in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the non-treated group. Also, yeast application improved the roots' osmotic status, the treated group showed significant osmolytes accumulation. Besides that the antioxidant enzymes activity status in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the non-treated group which significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation in the treated group. Yeast application can be an effective promising tool for improving the corn plant tolerance against drought stress.