Chapters authored
Actinobacteria as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria
Actinobacteria commonly inhabit the rhizosphere, being an essential part of this environment due to their interactions with plants. Such interactions have made possible to characterize them as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). As PGPR, they possess direct or indirect mechanisms that favor plant growth. Actinobacteria improve the availability of nutrients and minerals, synthesized plant growth regulators, and specially, they are capable of inhibiting phytopathogens. Different activities that are performed by actinobacteria have been studied, such as phosphate solubilization, siderophores production, and nitrogen fixation. Furthermore, actinobacteria do not contaminate the environment; instead, they help to maintain the biotic equilibrium of soil by cooperating with nutrients cycling. The aforementioned is directly related to the quality and productivity of crops. Moreover, different aspects of these microorganisms have been studied, such as production of metabolites that improve plant growth, resilience against unfavorable environmental conditions, and beneficial and synergic interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Taking into account the above-mentioned activities, actinobacteria can be considered as possible plant fertilizers.
Part of the book: Actinobacteria