A Review of PGPR-Mediated Strategies for Enhancing Sustainable Crop Production

Abstract

The escalating global demand for food, coupled with the environmental degradation caused by the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, has intensified the search for sustainable alternatives in modern agriculture. Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as a promising biological tool capable of enhancing crop productivity while minimizing ecological harm. These beneficial bacteria colonize the rhizosphere and plant roots, where they stimulate growth through a diverse array of direct and indirect mechanisms, including biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, phytohormone production, siderophore secretion, and the induction of systemic resistance against pathogens. This review synthesizes recent advances (2015–2024) in understanding PGPR-mediated strategies for sustainable crop production. It examines the principal mechanisms by which PGPR promote plant growth, evaluates their role in mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heavy-metal toxicity, and explores their integration into bioformulations and field-scale applications. The review further highlights the synergistic potential of PGPR consortia, the influence of soil and environmental factors on their efficacy, and the technological innovations—such as encapsulation and omics-based screening—that are improving formulation stability and field performance. Despite considerable laboratory success, challenges relating to inconsistent field results, shelf-life, regulatory hurdles, and commercialization persist. Addressing these gaps through interdisciplinary research, advanced delivery systems, and supportive policy frameworks will be essential to realizing the full potential of PGPR as a cornerstone of climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture.