Scilight Press

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are key components of the plant microbiota that coevolved with hosts as an entity called holobiont, acquiring traits for chemotaxis, root adhesion, high-affinity nutrient capture, and antagonism of phytopathogens. By integrating evolutionary, molecular, and multi-omics perspectives, this review aims to synthesize how these adaptations drive direct (biofertilization, phytohormone modulation) and indirect (biocontrol, stress tolerance) benefits that enhance crop productivity and ecosystem services. Multi-omics studies are revealing conserved PGPR functions, including induction of nitrogenase, ACC deaminase, siderophore biosynthesis, exo/endometabolites among others, that coordinate colonization and plant signaling. Also, PGPR activate induced systemic resistance (JA/ET pathways) and interact with systemic acquired resistance to improve immunity. Agronomic applications span biofertilizers, biostimulants, biological control agents, improving nutrient use efficiency, root architecture, and resilience to abiotic/biotic stress. Nonetheless, field performance is context dependent, shaped by environmental factors, host genotype, management, competition with native microbiota, and among others imposing challenges to PGPR use. Thus, a framework including multi-omics, ecological modeling, and machine learning is needed to predict their functions, design synthetic consortia and tailor bioinoculants to crops and soils. Embedding PGPR within climate-smart and precision agriculture can reduce inputs, stabilize yields, and support long-term soil health, advancing sustainable, resilient food systems globally.