Methylobacterium spp. in sustainable agriculture: Strategies for plant stress management and growth promotion
2025
Emmanuel Ehinmitan | Beenzu Siamalube | Turoop Losenge | Edward Mamati | Patrick Juma | Victoria Ngumi
Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, heavy metals, extreme temperatures, and ultraviolet radiation pose a significant constraint to plant growth and agricultural productivity. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), especially Methylobacterium spp., offer sustainable and eco-friendly solutions to mitigate these challenges. Methylobacterium spp., commonly found in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere, are efficient colonizers of plant tissues and thrive on volatile carbon (C1) compounds, such as methanol. These pink-pigmented bacteria enhance plant growth and resilience through mechanisms such as nitrogen fixation, minerals solubilization, ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) deaminase activity, the production of phytohormones, siderophores, ammonia, and secondary metabolites. Additionally, they play a vital role in nutrient provision and pathogen protection, contributing to enhanced plant vitality and yield under both normal and stress conditions.This review examines the multifaceted role of Methylobacterium spp. in alleviating abiotic stress and their potential to boost agricultural output. Furthermore, it explores strategies for optimizing plant–microbe interactions, genetic enhancement of native populations, and advanced methods such as mutation, adaptation, and genetic engineering to enhance their plant growth-promoting capabilities. By leveraging the unique properties of Methylobacterium spp., this review underscores their promise as a cornerstone for sustainable agriculture.
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