Pedro Lezama-Asencio 1, Edinson Larco-León 1, Pablo Chuna-Mogollón 1, Martha Lezama-Escobedo 2, Cynthia Ramos 2, Cecilia Bardales-Vasquez 2, Percy Asmat 2 and Manuel Hidalgo 2,*
1 Departamento Académico de Ciencias, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Trujillo 13008, Peru
2 Programa de Estudio de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Trujillo 13008, Peru
*(e-mail: jemhidalgor@gmail.com)
(Received: 3 September 2025; Revised: 22 October 2025; Accepted: 10 November 2025; Published: 21 November 2025)
ABSTRACT
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are key components of the plant microbiota that coevolved with hosts as an entity called holobiont, acquiring traits for chemotaxis, root adhesion, high-affinity nutrient capture, and antagonism of phytopathogens. By integrating evolutionary, molecular, and multi-omics perspectives, this review aims to synthesize how these adaptations drive direct (biofertilization, phytohormone modulation) and indirect (biocontrol, stress tolerance) benefits that enhance crop productivity and ecosystem services. Multi-omics studies are revealing conserved PGPR functions, including induction of nitrogenase, ACC deaminase, siderophore biosynthesis, exo/endometabolites among others, that coordinate colonization and plant signaling. Also, PGPR activate induced systemic resistance (JA/ET pathways) and interact with systemic acquired resistance to improve immunity. Agronomic applications span biofertilizers, biostimulants, biological control agents, improving nutrient use efficiency, root architecture, and resilience to abiotic/biotic stress. Nonetheless, field performance is context dependent, shaped by environmental factors, host genotype, management, competition with native microbiota, and among others imposing challenges to PGPR use. Thus, a framework including multi-omics, ecological modeling, and machine learning is needed to predict their functions, design synthetic consortia and tailor bioinoculants to crops and soils. Embedding PGPR within climate-smart and precision agriculture can reduce inputs, stabilize yields, and support long-term soil health, advancing sustainable, resilient food systems globally.
Key words : microbiota, rhizosphere, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, sustainable agriculture,
rhizobacterium
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.