Contemplating the role of zinc-solubilizing bacteria in crop biofortification: An approach for sustainable bioeconomy

Modern agriculture pays attention to improving agricultural production by producing zinc-enriched crops through zinc-solubilizing bacteria to strengthen the bioeconomy. Zinc deficiency in the soil reduces plant growth and also leads to less uptake of zinc in the edible portion of plants. Therefore, the zinc content in the edible parts of plants can be increased through the biofortification approach. However, most of the biofortification approaches are laborious and need expensive input in routine practices. Therefore, the microbiological biofortification approach may be beneficial in increasing the zinc concentration in plants and improving crop quality with the ultimate benefit of a greener path. The use of microbes may thus be favorable for elevating zinc content in plants and enhancing crop quality, ultimately providing a summation of the role of microorganisms for a greener strategy. In addition, the application of zinc-solubilizing bacteria as a potential biosource represents a cost-effective and alternate biofortification strategy. Zinc-solubilizing bacteria act as natural bio-fortifiers that can solubilize the unavailable form of zinc by secreting organic acids, siderophores, and other chelating compounds. This review thus focuses on zinc-solubilizing bacteria for plant biofortification and their contribution to enhance crop yield and the bioeconomy in a more sustainable manner

Synergistic impact of nanomaterials and plant probiotics in agriculture: A tale of two-way strategy for long-term sustainability

Modern agriculture is primarily focused on the massive production of cereals and other food-based crops in a sustainable manner in order to fulfill the food demands of an ever-increasing global population. However, intensive agricultural practices, rampant use of agrochemicals, and other environmental factors result in soil fertility degradation, environmental pollution, disruption of soil biodiversity, pest resistance, and a decline in crop yields. Thus, experts are shifting their focus to other eco-friendly and safer methods of fertilization in order to ensure agricultural sustainability. Indeed, the importance of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, also determined as “plant probiotics (PPs),” has gained widespread recognition, and their usage as biofertilizers is being actively promoted as a means of mitigating the harmful effects of agrochemicals. As bio-elicitors, PPs promote plant growth and colonize soil or plant tissues when administered in soil, seeds, or plant surface and are used as an alternative means to avoid heavy use of agrochemicals. In the past few years, the use of nanotechnology has also brought a revolution in agriculture due to the application of various nanomaterials (NMs) or nano-based fertilizers to increase crop productivity. Given the beneficial properties of PPs and NMs, these two can be used in tandem to maximize benefits. However, the use of combinations of NMs and PPs, or their synergistic use, is in its infancy but has exhibited better crop-modulating effects in terms of improvement in crop productivity, mitigation of environmental stress (drought, salinity, etc.), restoration of soil fertility, and strengthening of the bioeconomy. In addition, a proper assessment of nanomaterials is necessary before their application, and a safer dose of NMs should be applicable without showing any toxic impact on the environment and soil microbial communities. The combo of NMs and PPs can also be encapsulated within a suitable carrier, and this method aids in the controlled and targeted delivery of entrapped components and also increases the shelf life of PPs. However, this review highlights the functional annotation of the combined impact of NMs and PPs on sustainable agricultural production in an eco-friendly manner

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Exhibit Promising Potential for Treating SARS-CoV-2-Infected Patients

The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for COVID-19 infection. The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the worst global threats in the 21st century since World War II. This pandemic has led to a worldwide economic recession and crisis due to lockdown. Biomedical researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and premier institutes throughout the world are claiming that new clinical trials are in progress. During the severe phase of this disease, mechanical ventilators are used to assist in the management of outcomes; however, their use can lead to the development of pneumonia. In this context, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes can serve as an immunomodulation treatment for COVID-19 patients. Exosomes possess anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and immunomodulatory properties that can be explored in an effort to improve the outcomes of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Currently, only one ongoing clinical trial (NCT04276987) is specifically exploring the use of MSC-derived exosomes as a therapy to treat SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia. The purpose of this review is to provide insights of using exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells in management of the co-morbidities associated with SARS-CoV-2-infected persons in direction of improving their health outcome. There is limited knowledge of using exosomes in SARS-CoV-2; the clinicians and researchers should exploit exosomes as therapeutic regime

Table_1_Credibility assessment of cold adaptive Pseudomonas jesenni MP1 and P. palleroniana N26 on growth, rhizosphere dynamics, nutrient status, and yield of the kidney bean cultivated in Indian Central Himalaya.docx

Kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) productivity and nutritional quality are declining due to less nutrient accessibility, poor soil health, and indigent agronomic practices in hilly regions, which collectively led to a fall in farmer’s income, and to malnutrition in consumers. Addressing such issues, the present investigation was designed to assess the impact of Pseudomonas jesenii MP1 and Pseudomonas palleroniana N26 treatment on soil health, microbial shift, yield, and nutrient status of the kidney bean in the Harsil and Chakrata locations of Indian Central Himalaya. P. jesenii MP1 and P. palleroniana N26 were characterized as cold adaptive PGPR as they possessed remarkable in vitro plant growth promoting traits. Further, field trial study with PGPR treatments demonstrated remarkable and prolific influence of both strains on yield, kidney bean nutrient status, and soil health at both geographical locations, which was indicated with improved grain yield (11.61%–23.78%), protein (6.13%–24.46%), and zinc content (21.86%–61.17%) over control. The metagenomic study revealed that use of bioinoculants also concentrated the nutrient mobilizing and plant beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere of the kidney bean. Moreover, correlation analysis also confirmed that the plant growth-promoting traits of P. jesenii MP1 and P. palleroniana N26 are the basis for improved yield and nutrient status of the kidney bean. Further, cluster and principal component analysis revealed that both P. jesenii MP1 and P. palleroniana N26 exhibited pronounced influence on yield attributes of the kidney bean at both the locations. At the Harsil location, the P. jesenii MP1-treated seed demonstrated highest grain yield over other treatments, whereas at Chakarata, P. jesenii MP1, and P. palleroniana N26 treatment showed almost equal enhancement (~23%) in grain yield over control. The above results revealed that these bioinoculants are efficient plant growth promoters and nutrient mobilizers; they could be used as green technology to improve human health and farmer’s income by enhancing soil health, yield, and nutrient status of the kidney bean at hilly regions.</p