Probiotic bacteria promote the growth of associating host(red seaweed, Gracilaria edulis) also synthesize antibacterial protein

Enhance of tomato production and induction of changes on the organic profile mediated by Rhizobium biofortification

Introduction

The extensive use of chemical fertilizers has served as a response to the increasing need for crop production in recent decades. While it addresses the demand for food, it has resulted in a decline in crop productivity and a heightened negative environmental impact. In contrast, plant probiotic bacteria (PPB) offer a promising alternative to mitigate the negative consequences of chemical fertilizers. PPB can enhance nutrient availability, promote plant growth, and improve nutrient uptake efficiency, thereby reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers.

Methods

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of native Rhizobium strains, specifically Rhizobium calliandrae LBP2-1, Rhizobium mayense NSJP1-1, and Rhizobium jaguaris SJP1- 2, on the growth, quality, and rhizobacterial community of tomato crops. Various mechanisms promoting plant growth were investigated, including phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, indole acetic acid synthesis, and cellulose and cellulase production. Additionally, the study involved the assessment of biofilm formation and root colonization by GFP-tagged strains, conducted a microcosm experiment, and analyzed the microbial community using metagenomics of rhizospheric soil.

Results

The results showed that the rhizobial strains LBP2-1, NSJP1-1 and SJP1-2 had the ability to solubilize dicalcium phosphate, produce siderophores, synthesize indole acetic acid, cellulose production, biofilm production, and root colonization. Inoculation of tomato plants with native Rhizobium strains influenced growth, fruit quality, and plant microbiome composition. Metagenomic analysis showed increased Proteobacteria abundance and altered alpha diversity indices, indicating changes in rhizospheric bacterial community.

Discussion

Our findings demonstrate the potential that native Rhizobium strains have to be used as a plant probiotic in agricultural crops for the generation of safe food and high nutritional value.

A Retrospective Review of Global Commercial Seaweed Production-Current Challenges, Biosecurity and Mitigation Measures and Prospects

Commercial seaweed cultivation has undergone drastic changes to keep up with the increasing demand in terms of the quantity and quality of the algal biomass needed to meet the requirements of constant innovation in industrial applications. Diseases caused by both biotic and abiotic factors have been identified as contributing to the economic loss of precious biomass. Biosecurity risk will eventually affect seaweed production as a whole and could cripple the seaweed industry. The current review sheds light on the biosecurity measures that address issues in the seaweed industry pushing towards increasing the quantity and quality of algal biomass, research on algal diseases, and tackling existing challenges as well as discussions on future directions of seaweed research. The review is presented to provide a clear understanding of the latest biosecurity developments from several segments in the seaweed research, especially from upstream cultivation encompassing the farming stages from seeding, harvesting, drying, and packing, which may lead to better management of this precious natural resource, conserving ecological balance while thriving on the economic momentum that seaweed can potentially provide in the future. Recommended breeding strategies and seedling stock selection are discussed that aim to address the importance of sustainable seaweed farming and facilitate informed decision-making. Sustainable seaweed cultivation also holds the key to reducing our carbon footprint, thereby fighting the existential crisis of climate change plaguing our generation.