Work

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria behaviour dynamics under environmental perturbations: Selection of social and resilient consortia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The application of microbial consortia as biofertilizers has proven to be more efficient than the use of individual microorganisms. Their effectiveness is mainly determined by the interactions between consortium members, decreasing when antagonistic interactions predominate. However, when applying microbial biofertilizers in the field, they are confronted with constantly changing environmental parameters that affect the growth and interactions of their members. The BSocial tool (http://m4m.ugr.es/BSocial.html) was used to evaluate the effect of environmental parameters (temperature, salinity and drought) under 26 different pulse perturbations on social behaviour and resilience of 8 plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), belonging to different genera (Azospirillum, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer and Pseudomonas). We observed that B. subtilis exhibited positive social behaviour (synergistic or beneficial interactions) under all perturbations, whereas the four Pseudomonas strains displayed consistent negative behaviour (antagonistic or disadvantageous interactions). In contrast, A. brasilense, B. valentinum and E. medicae exhibited positive or neutral behaviour only under half of the tested perturbations. Of the 255 consortia that make up the complete combination of the studied strains, 131 were resilient to multiple stresses. Under the different perturbations, 21 social consortia (i.e. strains with positive and neutral behaviour) were predicted, with a diversity between 1 and 7 species. All social consortia, except one, were resilient to multiparametric stresses. However, only X022 and X093 were selected as candidate social biofertilizers due to their resilience and high social potential. Additionally, the increase in diversity led to an increase in resilience to all environmental parameters under study.

Source: Environmental Technology & Innovation

DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2026.104942

Authors: M. García-Toledo, B. Juárez-Jiménez, B. Rodelas, C. Pozo, J. Purswani

Institution: Universidad de Granada

Language: English

Topic: Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,930