Plant growth-promoting microorganisms: recent advances
Keywords:
sustainable agriculture, biofertilizers, plant microbiome, plant growth-promoting microorganisms, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.Abstract
Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) have gained increasing importance in sustainable agriculture due to their ability to enhance crop productivity through biological mechanisms that improve plant nutrition, root development, and tolerance to a wide range of environmental stresses. In recent years, advances in molecular biology techniques and plant microbiome research have significantly expanded the understanding of plant–microorganism interactions, fostering the development of innovative biotechnological strategies aimed at reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The objective of this bibliographic review was to critically analyse the available scientific evidence on recent advances in plant growth-promoting microorganisms, focusing on their conceptual evolution, mechanisms of action, agricultural applications, biotechnological innovations, current limitations, and future perspectives. To achieve this, a comprehensive review of scientific literature was conducted using publications indexed in internationally recognised databases, together with authoritative references in agricultural microbiology. The retrieved information was organised into thematic categories and comparatively analysed to synthesise the main findings reported in the literature. The reviewed evidence demonstrates that plant growth-promoting microorganisms enhance crop performance through biological nitrogen fixation, nutrient solubilisation, phytohormone production, siderophore synthesis, ACC deaminase activity, and the induction of resistance against pathogens and abiotic stress. Furthermore, recent advances in metagenomics, omics technologies, microbial consortia, and precision agriculture have considerably expanded the potential applications of these microorganisms in sustainable farming systems. It is concluded that PGPMs represent a promising biotechnological tool for strengthening food security and promoting more resilient agricultural production systems; however, important challenges remain regarding inoculant stability, interactions with native microbiomes, and the successful transfer of these technologies to large-scale agricultural production.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Luis Humberto Benavides Velasco, Christian Iván Montatixe Sánchez
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