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The climate crisis and years of unsustainable agricultural practices have reduced soil fertility and crop yield. In addition, agricultural lands contribute more than 10% of greenhouse gases (GHGs). These concerns can be addressed by using biochar for carbon neutralization, environmental restoration, and agricultural management. Biochar has a role in nitrous oxide and methane gas emission mitigation from agricultural soil. New methods are needed to link belowground processes to functioning in multi-species and multi-cultivar agroecosystems. The intricate relationship between biochar and the composition of soil microbial communities, along with its impacts on functions within the rhizosphere, constitutes a highly perplexing and elusive subject within microbial genomics. The present review discusses how biochar can mitigate climate change, enhance carbon sequestration, and support crop productivity. Biochar could be a potential solution to mitigate soil microplastics and heavy metal contamination. Applying a biochar-based microbiome reduces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil. The current knowledge and perspectives on biochar–plant–microbial interactions for sustainable agriculture and ameliorating the adverse effects of climate change are highlighted. In this review, a holistic approach was used to emphasize the utility of biochar for multiple applications with positive and negative effects and its role in promoting a functional circular economy.

Plants are simultaneously exposed to multiple stresses resulting in enormous changes in the molecular landscape within the cell. Identification and characterization of the synergistic and antagonistic components of stress response mechanisms contributing to the cross talk between stresses is of high priority to explore and enhance multiple stress responses. To this end, we performed meta-analysis of drought (abiotic), bacterial (biotic) stress response in rice and Arabidopsis by analyzing a total of 386 microarray samples belonging to 20 microarray studies and identified approximately 3100 and 900 DEGs in rice and Arabidopsis, respectively. About 38.5% (1214) and 28.7% (272) DEGs were common to drought and bacterial stresses in rice and Arabidopsis, respectively. A majority of these common DEGs showed conserved expression status in both stresses. Gene ontology enrichment analysis clearly demarcated the response and regulation of various plant hormones and related biological processes. Fatty acid metabolism and biosynthesis of alkaloids were upregulated and, nitrogen metabolism and photosynthesis was downregulated in both stress conditions. WRKY transcription family genes were highly enriched in all upregulated gene sets while 'CO-like' TF family showed inverse relationship of expression between drought and bacterial stresses. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis divided DEG sets into multiple modules that show high co-expression and identified stress specific hub genes with high connectivity. Detection of consensus modules based on DEGs common to drought and bacterial stress revealed 9 and 4 modules in rice and Arabidopsis, respectively, with conserved and reversed co-expression patterns.

Arsenic contamination in soil and water is a major problem worldwide. Inorganic arsenic is widely present as arsenate and arsenite. Arsenic is transferred to crops through the soil and irrigation water. It is reported to reduce crop production in plants and can cause a wide array of diseases in humans, including different types of cancers, premature delivery, stillbirth, and spontaneous abortion. Arsenic methyltransferase (AS3MT) in the human body converts inorganic arsenic into monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid, which are later excreted from the body. Arsenic transfer from the soil to grains of rice involves different transporters such as Lsi1, Lsi2, and Lsi6. These transporters are also required for the transfer of silicate, which makes them important for the plant. Different mitigation strategies have been used to mitigate arsenic from crops, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria, fungi, and nanoparticles, as well as using different plant genotypes and plant extracts. Different factors such as nitric oxide, Fe, and jasmonate also affect the response of a plant to the oxidative stress caused by arsenic. This review highlights the various effects of arsenic on plants with respect to their biochemical, molecular, and physiological aspects and the employment of classical and innovative methods for their mitigation. The current review is expected to initiate further research to improve As remediation to mitigate the effect of heavy metal pollution on the environment.

Soil saltiness is a noteworthy issue as it results in loss of profitability and development of agrarian harvests and decline in soil health. Microorganisms associated with plants contribute to their growth promotion and salinity tolerance by employing a multitude of macromolecules and pathways. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have an immediate impact on improving profitability based on higher crop yield. Some PGPR produce 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic (ACC) deaminase (EC 4.1.99.4), which controls ethylene production by diverting ACC into α-ketobutyrate and ammonia. ACC deaminase enhances germination rate and growth parameters of root and shoot in different harvests with and without salt stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) show a symbiotic relationship with plants, which helps in efficient uptake of mineral nutrients and water by the plants and also provide protection to the plants against pathogens and various abiotic stresses. The dual inoculation of PGPR and AMF enhances nutrient uptake and productivity of several crops compared to a single inoculation in both normal and stressed environments. Positively interacting PGPR + AMF combination is an efficient and cost-effective recipe for improving plant tolerance against salinity stress, which can be an extremely useful approach for sustainable agriculture.

Agriculture has long been the cornerstone of human civilization, providing sustenance and livelihoods for millennia. However, as the global population continues to burgeon, agriculture faces mounting challenges. Soil degradation, nutrient depletion, environmental pollution, and the need for sustainable farming practices are among the pressing issues that require innovative solutions. In this context, nano-biofertilizers have emerged as a groundbreaking technological advancement with the potential to reshape modern agriculture. nano-biofertilizers are innovative agricultural products that leverage the combined principles of nanotechnology and biotechnology to enhance nutrient uptake by plants, improve soil health, and promote sustainable farming practices. These specialized fertilizers consist of nanoscale materials and beneficial microorganisms. These fertilizers are eco-friendly and cost-effective and have shown promising results in various crop plants. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the development of eco-friendly nano-biofertilizers along with an overview of the various types of nano-biofertilizers, their formulation, synthesis, and mode of application for next-generation agriculture. The importance of the interaction between nanoparticles and bacterial species and its impact on the effectiveness of nano-biofertilizers has also been discussed along with the potential benefits, challenges, and future perspectives of using eco-friendly nano-biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture, ensuring a greener and healthier future for generations to come.

Drought stress response is a complex trait regulated at multiple levels. Changes in the epigenetic and miRNA regulatory landscape can dramatically alter the outcome of a stress response. However, little is known about the scope and extent of these regulatory factors on drought related cellular processes and functions. To this end, we selected a list of 5468 drought responsive genes (DRGs) of rice identified in multiple microarray studies and mapped the DNA methylation regions found in a genome wide methylcytosine immunoprecipitation and sequencing (mCIP-Seq) study to their genic and promoter regions, identified the chromatin remodeling genes and the genes that are targets of miRNAs. We found statistically significant enrichment of DNA methylation reads and miRNA target sequences in DRGs compared to a random set of genes. About 75% of the DRGs annotated to be involved in chromatin remodeling were downregulated. We found one-third of the DRGs are targeted by two-thirds of all known/predicted miRNAs in rice which include many transcription factors targeted by more than five miRNAs. Clustering analysis of the DRGs with epigenetic and miRNA features revealed, upregulated cluster was enriched in drought tolerance mechanisms while the downregulated cluster was enriched in drought resistance mechanisms evident by their unique gene ontologies (GOs), protein-protein interactions (PPIs), specific transcription factors, protein domains and metabolic pathways. Further, we analyzed the proteome of two weeks old young rice plants treated with a global demethylating agent, 5-azacytidine (5-azaC), subjected to drought stress and identified 56 protein spots that are differentially expressed. Out of the 56 spots, 35 were differently expressed in the sample with both demethylation and drought stress treatments and 28 (50%) were part of DRGs considered in the bioinformatic analysis.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) Azotobacter spp. is the most promising bacteria among all microorganisms. It is an aerobic, free-living, and N2-fixing bacterium that commonly lives in soil, water, and sediments. It can be used as a biofertilizer for plant growth and nutrient utilization efficiency. Maize is the highly consumed cereal food crop of the cosmopolitan population, and the sustainable maize productivity achieved by applying bacteria in combination with nitrogen phosphorus potassium (NPK) is promising. In the present study, a bacterial isolate (PR19). Azotobacter nigricans , obtained from the soil of an organic farm was evaluated for its plant growth promoting potential alone and in combination with an inorganic fertilizer (NPK) included. The bacterial cultue (PR19) was screened for its morphological, biochemical, and plant growth-promoting characteristics, sequenced by the 16S rDNA method, and submitted to NCBI for the confirmation of strain identification. Further, the inoculation effect of the bacterial culture (PR19) in combination with NPK on growth and yield parameters of maize under pot were analyzed. Based on phenotypic and molecular characteristics, PR19 was identified as Azotobacter nigricans it was submitted to NCBI genbank under the accession No. KP966496 . The bacterial isolate possessed multiple plant growth-promoting (MPGP) traits such as the production of ammonia, siderophore, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and ACC Deaminase (ACCD). It showed phosphate solubilization activity and tolerance to 20% salt, wide range of pH 5–9, higher levels of trace elements and heavy metals, and resistance to multiple antibiotics. PR19 expressed significantly increased ( p < 0.001) antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH) under the abiotic stress of salinity and pH. In vitro condition, inoculation of maize with the PR19 showed a significant increase in seed germination and enhancement in elongation of root and shoot compared to untreated control. The combined application of the PR19 and NPK treatments showed similar significant results in all growth and yield parameters of maize variety SHIATS-M S2. This study is the first report on the beneficial effects of organic farm isolated PR19-NPK treatment combinations on sustainable maize productivity.

Contemporary agricultural practices rely heavily on synthetic fertilizers to provide essential nutrients for crops, contributing to diminished soil fertility and environmental pollution. An innovative solution lies in the strategic combination of nanoparticles and biofertilizers, as a unique and environmentally friendly technology, enhancing soil enzyme activity and the availability of essential plant nutrients. The goal of this study was to show the efficacy of this technology and identify the best combination of nanoparticles and PGPB for plant growth promotion, nutrient uptake, and soil health. This study investigated the efficacy of nanobiofertilizers generated by combining two plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), (Bacillus sp.) CP4 and AHP3, along with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MS NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in different combinations. A greenhouse study employing two wheat varieties, NABI MG11 (black wheat) and HD3086, was conducted. There were 15 treatments, including treatments consisting of only bacteria, treatments consisting of the combination of nanoparticles and nanobiofertilizers, and 1 control treatment, and each treatment had three replicates. In evaluating plant growth characteristics, the synergy between ZnO NPs and CP4 demonstrated the most favorable outcomes in terms of overall plant growth and various traits. Similarly, MS NPs, in conjunction with both PGPB, exhibited enhancements in plant growth traits, including fresh weight, chlorophyll content, proline levels, and nitrogen content. Over half of the combination treatments with nanoparticles and PGPB did not show a significant improvement in plant growth promotion traits and soil health when compared to nanoparticles alone. The findings of this study underscore the potential of nanobiofertilizers as an innovative and robust tool for promoting sustainable agriculture.

Plants are constantly challenged with numerous adverse environmental conditions, including biotic and abiotic stresses. Coordinated regulation of plant responses requires crosstalk between regulatory pathways initiated by different external cues. Stress induced by excessiveness or deficiency of nutrients has been shown to positively or negatively interact with pathogen-induced immune responses. Also, colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can improve plant nutrition, mainly phosphorus and resistance to pathogen infection. The proposed review addresses these issues about a new question that integrates adaptation to nutrient stress and disease resistance. The main goal of the current review is to provide insights into the interconnected regulation between nutrient signaling and immune signaling pathways in rice, focusing on phosphate, potassium and iron signaling. The underpinnings of plant/pathogen/AM fungus interaction concerning rice/ M. oryzae / R. irregularis is highlighted. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in Pi (miR399, miR827) and Fe (miR7695) homeostasis in pathogenic/symbiotic interactions in rice is discussed. The intracellular dynamics of membrane proteins that function in nutrient transport transgenic rice lines expressing fluorescent protein fusion genes are outlined. Integrating functional genomic, nutritional and metal content, molecular and cell biology approaches to understand how disease resistance is regulated by nutrient status leading to novel concepts in fundamental processes underlying plant disease resistance will help to devise novel strategies for crop protection with less input of pesticides and fertilizers.

Vector-borne diseases in humans occur through snails, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, lice, sandflies, and tsetse flies infected with microbes. These comprise over 17% of all infectious diseases and significantly contribute to the burden of disease and economy. Mosquito-borne diseases account for nearly 700 million new cases and over a million deaths on an annual basis. The purpose of this review is to offer a critical analysis of mosquito repellent properties of different plants’ essential oils (pyrethrin, menthol, nicotine and rotenone) and adverse effects of synthetic repellents on different organs of animals, their mode of action, pharmacological properties, and traditional applications. DEET inhibits odorant receptors. Nicotine competitively binds with ACh receptors. Organophosphate and carbamate prevent the removal of Ach from AChE, thymol blocks the GABA-gated chloride channel, rotenone blocks the electron transport chain, and azadirachtin interferes with the synthesis of ecdysteroid and juvenile hormone. Resistance against these can be gained by mutations in some genes like kdr mutation, Ace-1R gene mutation and Rdl mutation. This review focuses on the potential of plant-based mosquito repellents as a replacement for chemical-based repellents and highlights their modes of action and relatively less or no side effects in preventing mosquito-related diseases.