Microbial Bio stimulants as Sustainable Strategies for Enhancing Plant Resistance to Viral Diseases: Mechanisms and Applications
Microbial Bio stimulants as Sustainable Strategies for Enhancing Plant Resistance to Viral Diseases: Mechanisms and Applications
Burhan Khalid1, Muhammad Umer Javed2, Muhammad Atiq Ashraf3, Hafiza Zara Saeed4, Musrat Shaheen5, Talha Riaz6*, Rabiya Riaz7 and Shumaila Nawaz3
ABSTRACT
Sustainable agriculture is essential for ensuring food security while minimizing environmental impacts. This review explores the role of microbial biostimulants in managing plant viral diseases, emphasizing their potential to enhance plant resilience and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. The interaction between plants and pathogens is complex, with viral infections posing significant challenges to global crop production. While traditional management strategies often focus on chemical interventions, this review highlights the integrated advantages of incorporating microbial biostimulants into agricultural practices. Microbial biostimulants, including plant growth-promoting bacteria such as rhizobacteria (PGPR) and mycorrhizal fungi, have effectively activated plant systemic resistance mechanisms. These biostimulants not only improve nutrient uptake but also enhance the plant’s innate immune responses against viral pathogens. Recent studies reveal that specific strains of PGPR can induce systemic resistance in various crops, mitigating the effects of infections caused by viruses like Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) and Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV). This review discusses how microbial biostimulants enhance plant defence, including activating pathogenesis-related proteins and modulating plant hormones such as salicylic acid and jasmonic acid. Additionally, it highlights the potential of biostimulants in promoting sustainable agricultural practices by reducing chemical input and fostering a healthier soil microbiome. Ultimately, this work aims to provide insights into the use of microbial biostimulants as a viable strategy for sustainable plant viral disease management. By leveraging these natural solutions, farmers can boost crop resilience, enhance yield quality, and contribute to more sustainable agricultural systems. Future studies should focus on elucidating the molecular interactions between microbial biostimulants and plant hosts, paving the way for innovative approaches to combat viral diseases in agriculture. Microbial biostimulants provide a viable and efficient way to increase plant resistance to viral infections, encouraging healthier crops and lowering the need for chemical pesticides, all supporting environmental sustainability and global food security.
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