Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria: Importance in Vegetable Production

Abstract

A large number of soil bacteria are able to colonize the surface/interior of root system and stimulate plant growth and health. This group of bacteria, generally referred to as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), enhances the growth of plants including vegetables in both conventional and stressed soil. In addition, many PGPR facilitate crop production indirectly by inhibiting various phytopathogens. Conclusively, PGPR affects plant growth via nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization and mineral uptake, siderophore production, antibiosis, and hydrolytic enzymes synthesis. Some of the notable PGPR capable of facilitating the growth of a varied range of vegetables such as potato, carrot, onion, etc. belong to genera Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus. Vegetables play a major role in providing essential minerals, vitamins, and fiber, which are not present in significant quantities in staple starchy foods. Hence, to optimize vegetable production without chemical inputs, the use of PGPR in vegetable cultivation is recommended. Here, an attempt is made to highlight the role of PGPR in vegetable production under both normal and derelict soils.