Interaction of Zinc Mineral Nutrition and Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in Tropical Agricultural Systems: A Review

• Published in: Plants (Basel) 2024-02, Vol.13 (5), p.571
• Main Authors: Jalal, Arshad, Júnior, Enes Furlani, Teixeira Filho, Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptability; Agricultural ecology; Agricultural ecosystems; Agricultural industry; Agricultural management; Agricultural practices; Agricultural production; Agricultural productivity; Agricultural research; Agriculture; Agronomic crops; Bacteria; Bioavailability; Climatic conditions; co-inoculation; Crop resilience; Crops; Enzymes; Farming systems; Fertilizers; Food security; Food supply; Growth; Homeostasis; inoculation; Legumes; Malnutrition; microbes-mediated biofortification; Nutrient deficiency; Nutrients; Nutrition; Nutritional status; Nutritive value; Pathogens; Physiological aspects; Plant growth; Population; Productivity; Protein synthesis; Proteins; Review; Reviews; Security management; Soils; Solubilization; Sustainable agriculture; Sustainable practices; Tropical crops; Tropical environment; Tropical environments; Zinc; Zinc in the body; Zinc oxide; Zn fertilization; Zn-use efficiencies
• ISSN: 2223-7747; 2223-7747
• DOI: 10.3390/plants13050571

The relationship between zinc mineral nutrition and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) is pivotal in enhancing agricultural productivity, especially in tropical regions characterized by diverse climatic conditions and soil variability. This review synthesizes and critically evaluates current knowledge regarding the synergistic interaction between zinc mineral nutrition and PGPB in tropical agricultural systems. Zinc is an essential and fundamental micronutrient for various physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Its deficiency affects plant growth and development, decreasing yields and nutritional quality. In tropical regions, where soil zinc availability is often limited or imbalanced, the PGPB, through different mechanisms such as Zn solubilization; siderophore production; and phytohormone synthesis, supports Zn uptake and assimilation, thereby facilitating the adverse effects of zinc deficiency in plants. This review outlines the impacts of Zn-PGPB interactions on plant growth, root architecture, and productivity in tropical agricultural systems. The positive relationship between PGPB and plants facilitates Zn uptake and improves nutrient use efficiency, overall crop performance, and agronomic biofortification. In addition, this review highlights the importance of considering indigenous PGPB strains for specific tropical agroecosystems, acknowledging their adaptability to local conditions and their potential in sustainable agricultural practices. It is concluded that Zn fertilizer and PGPBs have synergistic interactions and can offer promising avenues for sustainable agriculture, addressing nutritional deficiencies, improving crop resilience, and ensuring food security.