Microbial Inoculants

Recent Progress and Applications

1st Edition - May 26, 2023
Editors: Vijay Kumar Sharma, Ajay Kumar, Michel R Zambrano Passarini, Shobhika Parmar, Vipin Kumar Singh
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 9 0 4 3 - 1
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 9 0 4 4 - 8

In the recent past, beneficial microorganisms have been sustainably used in agriculture as a safe, economic, and effective alternative to chemical fertilizers or pesticides. These… Read more

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In the recent past, beneficial microorganisms have been sustainably used in agriculture as a safe, economic, and effective alternative to chemical fertilizers or pesticides. These beneficial microbes, including bacteria, actinomycetes, and yeast, were efficiently applied in soil, seeds, fruits, or plants as inoculants, to achieve the optimum agricultural yield.

An efficient delivery method or enhanced shelf life of microbial inoculants in the soil or seed is still a matter of concern. The response of local genetic or ecological factors, after microbial applications, are also unknown and less studied. Therefore, Microbial Inoculants: Recent Progress and Applications fulfills the need to explore and learn about an efficient delivery mechanism, selection of microbial strain as inoculants, and related technological advances, for the efficient and productive use of microbial inoculants. Moreover, factors like methods of formulation, interaction between host plant and microbe, impact of inoculation on the metabolomics of plants, the effect of microbial inoculants on soil dynamics, proteomics approach of plant-microbe interaction, as well as the registration and regulation process of bio inoculants for commercial production are described in 16 chapters by the leading academicians and researchers from different parts of the world.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Contributors
Preface
Chapter 1: Microbial inoculants: Recent progress in formulations and methods of application
Abstract
1.1: Introduction
1.2: Inoculant characterization
1.3: Inoculation techniques
1.4: Formulation technologies
1.5: Formulations of inoculants
1.6: Role of formulation in microbial community
1.7: Conclusions and future prospects
References
Chapter 2: Application of microbial inoculants as an alternative to chemical products for decomposition of organic wastes
Abstract
2.1: Introduction
2.2: Potential benefits of microbe-mediated compost as farm inputs
2.3: Agrowaste biodecomposition
2.4: Microbial inoculants: Their diversity and potential use in long-term crop production
2.5: Different forms of biofertilizers
2.6: N-fixing biofertilizers
2.7: Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria)
2.8: Phosphate-solubilizing and phosphate-mobilizing biofertilizers
2.9: Mycorrhizal fungi
2.10: VAM fungi (Endomycorrhiza)
2.11: Potassium-solubilizing and potassium-mobilizing biofertilizers
2.12: Sulfur-oxidizing biofertilizers
2.13: Zinc biofertilizers
2.14: Rhizobacteria that promote plant growth (PGPR)
2.15: The role of decomposers in soil fertility
References
Chapter 3: Microbial inoculants and their potential application in salinity management
Abstract
3.1: Soil salinity: General aspects
3.2: Plant and soil microbiota responses to salinity
3.3: Rhizobial inoculants
3.4: Plant growth-promoting bacterial inoculants
3.5: Mycorrhizal inoculants
3.6: Dark septate endophytic fungal inoculants
3.7: Final remarks and prospects
References
Chapter 4: Metal-tolerant microbial inoculants for improved phytoextraction
Abstract
4.1: Introduction
4.2: Phytoextraction: Its mechanism
4.3: Phytoextraction of metals and soil microorganisms
4.4: Improving plants for phytoremediation
4.5: Heavy metal accumulator plants
4.6: High-capacity hyperaccumulators
4.7: High biomass of crops
4.8: Endophytes and phytoextraction
4.9: The biochemical mechanism of accumulators
4.10: Conclusions
References
Chapter 5: Seed priming with microbial inoculants for enhanced crop yield
Abstract
Acknowledgments
5.1: Introduction
5.2: Role of seed priming methods in agricultural advances and farming practices
5.3: Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs)
5.4: Application of PGPMs as inoculants in seed priming
5.5: Enhancement of plant growth, disease control, and yield through seed priming techniques
5.6: Conclusions
References
Chapter 6: Organic waste decomposition by microbial inoculants as an effective tool for environmental management
Abstract
6.1: Introduction
6.2: Aerobic composting
6.3: Anaerobic composting
6.4: Vermicomposting
6.5: Conditions required for composting
6.6: Different types of composting methods
6.7: Microbes in composting
6.8: Role of microorganisms in composting
6.9: Relation of C:N ratio and temperature
6.10: Bacteria
6.11: Fungi
6.12: Conclusion
References
Chapter 7: Microbial inoculants for the management of herbicide toxicity in plants
Abstract
Acknowledgment
7.1: Introduction
7.2: Herbicide toxicity in plants
7.3: Microbial inoculants
7.4: Management of herbicide toxicity caused by microbial inoculants
7.5: Microbial inoculants and the indigenous soil microbial community for the management of herbicide toxicity
7.6: Conclusions
References
Chapter 8: Immobilization of microbial inoculants for improving soil nutrient bioavailability
Abstract
8.1: Introduction
8.2: Beneficial microorganisms
8.3: Immobilization techniques
8.4: Materials as carriers in crop production
8.5: Commercial inoculants
8.6: Conclusions
References
Chapter 9: Plant growth-promoting microbes and nanoparticles: Biotechnological potential in agrobiological systems
Abstract
Acknowledgments
9.1: Introduction
9.2: Plant growth-promoting microbes: Endophytes and Rhizobacteria
9.3: Nanotechnology in agriculture
9.4: Nanomaterials and plant growth-promoting bacteria
9.5: Conclusions and perspectives
References
Chapter 10: Potential of microbial inoculants for the management of agricultural soils contaminated by recalcitrant compounds
Abstract
10.1: Introduction
10.2: Bioinoculants in pesticide decontamination
10.3: Bioinoculants in microplastic decontamination
10.4: Bioinoculants in industrial and urban waste decontamination
10.5: Bioinoculants in hydrocarbon decontamination
10.6: Future perspectives
References
Chapter 11: Tropical biomes as microbial sources for efficient biocatalysts to environmental purposes
Abstract
11.1: Biomes and biotechnological potential of environmental microorganisms
11.2: Bioinoculants from enzymes of environmental origin
11.3: Nanotechnology and increased activity of microbial enzymes in soil
11.4: Carbon sequestration and soil quality improvement
References
Chapter 12: Role of microbial biofilms in bioremediation: Current perspectives
Abstract
12.1: Introduction
12.2: Role of microbial populations in bioremediation
12.3: Biofilms
12.4: Biofilm-forming microbes
12.5: Biofilm development
12.6: Role of biofilms in bioremediation
12.7: Role of biofilms in remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
12.8: Role of biofilms in remediation of petroleum
12.9: Role of biofilms in remediation of chlorinated aromatic compounds
12.10: Role of biofilms in remediation of heavy metals and radionuclides
12.11: Other applications
12.12: Emerging scope for biofilms
12.13: Limitations to the use of biofilms in bioremediation
12.14: Conclusions
References
Chapter 13: Role of microbial enzymes in bioremediation: Emerging opportunities and limitations
Abstract
Acknowledgments
13.1: Introduction
13.2: Enzymes
13.3: Microbial enzymes
13.4: Bioremediation and enzymes
13.5: Enzyme-assisted microbial remediation for hazardous pollutants
13.6: Present scenario for microbial remediation of enzymes
13.7: Conclusions
References
Chapter 14: Applications of microbial formulations in the pharmaceutical industry
Abstract
14.1: Introduction
14.2: Probiotic formulations
14.3: Biosurfactants
14.4: Bacteriocins
14.5: Therapeutic microbes
14.6: Conclusions
References
Chapter 15: An evaluation of the lacunae in current techniques using microbial inoculants for enhanced bioremediation and nutrient recovery
Abstract
15.1: Background
15.2: Current waste stream treatment techniques
15.3: Role of microbial inoculants in waste stream treatment
15.4: Current nutrient recovery strategies
15.5: Conclusion
Funding
References
Further reading
Chapter 16: Exploring the potential of fungal endophytes: A quintessential source for novel secondary metabolites and beneficial aspects
Abstract
Acknowledgments
16.1: Introduction
16.2: Potential role of endophytes in sustainable agriculture
16.3: Conclusion
References
Further reading
Index

Vijay Kumar Sharma

Dr.V.K. Sharma has a Ph.D. in Botany from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P., India. He has more than eleven years of research experience, particularly in the area of endophytes. His research interest is in the bio-potential applications of endophytes and their mechanism. He also has a keen interest in emerging environmental issues and mitigation. He is currently working on the role of fungal endophytes in heavy metal stress tolerance of host plants, and mechanism. Dr. Sharma has more than thirty research articles and book chapters in journals of national and international repute to his credit. He is lifetime member of Mycological Society of India (MSI). He is also the recipient of MJ Thirumalachar Young Scientist Award Lectures by MSI in 2016. He also received Yunnan provincial government funding-II. He has also actively participated in many national and international conferences, symposia and workshops related to his research field

Affiliations and expertise

Agriculture Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeTsiyon, Israel

Ajay Kumar

Dr. Ajay Kumar is a Professor at the Amity Institute of Biotechnology in India. He has published extensively in leading International and National journals or books. He has wide area of research experience, especially in the field of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Microbial biocontrol, and Endophytes related with the medicinal plants, Postharvest management of fruits. Dr. Kumar has published more than 165 research articles including review papers/book chapters/ books in the leading international journals. He is serving as special issue editors in some journals like “Frontiers in Microbiology, Microorganism” etc. In addition also acting as reviewer in some leading journals like Frontiers group, PLOS ONE, Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Biological Control, Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 3Biotech etc. Dr, Kumar has edited several books with leading publishers including Elsevier, Springer, and Taylor and Francis.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, India

Michel R Zambrano Passarini

Affiliations and expertise

Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA), Institute of Life Sciences and Nature, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

Shobhika Parmar

Dr. Parmar has a Ph.D. in Environment Science from from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. She has more than eight years of research experience, particularly in the area of toxic metal pollution of water bodies and soil, their phytoremediation, bio-prospects of endophytes in host plant growth enhancement and stress tolerance, and the mechanism. She has about 12 publications in journals and edited book of international repute such as Microbial Biotechnology and Elsevier. Recently she was awarded by the Yunnan provincial government, funding-II in China.

Affiliations and expertise

Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India

Vipin Kumar Singh

Dr. Vipin Kumar Singh is currently working as CSIR Research Associate in the Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Botany from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India in the year 2015. He has worked in the UGC project entitled “Detoxification of arsenic contaminated groundwater by transgenic eco-friendly microbes.” He has more than nine years of research experience in the area of groundwater hydro-geochemistry and bioremediation approaches to clean the contaminated groundwater sites. His area of interest includes the use of fast-growing plants and microbes to clean the contaminated soil and water system. Dr. Singh has published eight book chapters, twenty-one research articles in journals of national and international repute. He is a life time member of Indian Association of Hydrologists (IAH) and Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI). Currently, he is the member of editorial board in Indian Journal of Microbiology research and Water open access journal. So far, he has reviewed more than dozens of research articles and book chapters of international repute. He has actively participated in many national and international seminars, symposia, conferences and workshop related to the application of microbes in the management of contaminated sites.

Affiliations and expertise

Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, K.S. Saket P.G. College, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India