Role of microbial biofertilizers in enhancing vegetable crop productivity and stress tolerance

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable agriculture has has driven the exploration of microbial biofertilizers as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical inputs. Biofertilizers consist of living microorganisms that colonize the rhizosphere or plant interior and promote growth through nutrient solubilization, nitrogen fixation, phytohormone production, and disease suppression. Their role is particularly vital in vegetable crops, which require intensive nutrient input for high yield and quality. Recent studies have shown that inoculating vegetables with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing microbes, and mycorrhizal fungi significantly improves plant biomass, fruit yield, and stress resilience under drought, salinity, and pathogen pressure (Patel et al., 2024) [31]. Mechanistically, these microbes enhance root architecture, boost nutrient uptake, and modulate stress-responsive pathways. The growing application of advanced microbial consortia and bioformulations in field trials indicates commercial viability. Furthermore, biofertilizers can contribute to climate-resilient agriculture by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring soil microbial biodiversity (Joshi & Singh, 2024). This review explores the recent advancements, mechanisms of action, crop-specific effects, and future prospects of microbial biofertilizers in vegetable production systems.