Periphyton-based biofertilizer have a high potential for soil remediation, particularly for controlling soil salinization. This global environmental problem leads to low soil utilization and insufficient crop yields. Efficient and sustainable methods of managing saline soils are needed to reduce salinization and improve soil fertility and crop quality. Traditional methods such as physical mulching and chemical amendments, while improving soil conditions, exhibit limited effectiveness and may damage soil structure. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of algae-based fertilizers in remediating saline-alkali soils and improving crop performance. The review delves into the and application prospects of algae-based fertilizers, highlighting their potential from both sustainable development and economic perspectives. It further advocates integrating other emerging technologies with the production and application of algae-based fertilizers to address the increasingly severe challenges posed by degraded soil resources and environmental instability. The review found that algal fertilizers are more environmentally friendly than traditional chemical fertilizers but are not inferior in function. This approach offers more efficient and sustainable solutions for managing saline-alkaline soils and effectively achieves sus-tainable agricultural production. Furthermore, it is necessary to conduct experimental research and monitoring evaluations of algal fertilizers to formulate scientific and rational fertilization plans to meet the increasingly serious challenges facing soil resources and unstable environments. The findings of this study will provide theoretical and technical support for using algae biofertilizers for soil remediation, improving crop quality and sequestering carbon.

This work aims to isolate and screen the fungicidal endophytic bacterial strains for biocontrol efficacy against Phytophthora palmivora, a soil-borne pathogenic fungus that kills durian trees worldwide. Among more than 100 isolates, 6 strains were screened as potential fungicidal strains with inhibitory efficiency of 67.4-79.8%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, these strains were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens EB.CK9, Bacillus methylotrophicus EB.EH34, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens EB.EH18, Bacillus siamensis EB.KN10, Bacillus velezensis EB.KN15 and Paenibacillus polymyxa EB.KN35. In greenhouse tests, the two strains P. polymyxa EB.KN35 and B. velezensis EB.KN15 significantly reduced the damage to diseased roots by P. palmivora (33.3 and 35.6%, respectively), increased the rate of survival of durian trees (only 20.8 and 22.9% plant death, respectively), and showed a positive effect on promoting durian plant growth. Notably, the potential fungicidal effect of last two strains against P. palmivora was recorded for the first time in this work. HPLC analysis showed that these strains can secret several plant growth-promoting compounds, including gibberellic acid (GA3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), kinetin, and zeatin. Of these, GA3 and zeatin were produced with a significant amount by both strains. The volatiles bio-synthesized by these isolates were also identified using GC-MS analysis, and some major volatiles were found as fungicidal agents. This study suggested that P. polymyxa EB.KN35 and B. velezensis EB.KN15 may be potential biocontrol candidates for durian P. palmivora and bio-fertilizers for the sustainable production of durian crops.

In order to overcome the damages caused by conventional farming, excessive use of chemical and synthetic fertilizers and for stimulating plant growth, Rhizomicrobiome has been a strategic yet over exploited biological tool. Among rhizospheric microbial communities, use of fluorescent pseudomonads as biocontrol agents remains prominent due to their ability to produce a variety of antimicrobial secondary metabolites. However, Pseudomonas spp. also possess great abilities of nutrient mobilization and can effectively enhance the bioavailability of inorganic zinc and potassium salts to plants. In this study, ten Pseudomonas spp. strains including P. aurantiaca (GS1, GS3, GS4, GS6, GS7, FS2, ARS38, and PBSt2), P. chlororaphis (RP4), and P. fluorescens (RS1) were evaluated for promoting growth of rice under natural climate conditions. Pot-scale experiments with zinc solubilizing P. aurantiaca GS3 and GS7 showed significant increase in dry shoot and root weights of inoculated plants as compared to un-inoculated controls. Pot experiments with potassium-solubilizing pseudomonads including P. aurantiaca PBSt2, ARS38, GS3, GS4, GS7, P. chlororaphis RP4, and P. fluorescens RS1 showed increased biomass and weight of tillers, as compared to control plants. Maximum zinc concentration was recorded for the shoots and tillers of P. aurantiaca GS3-inoculated plants. However, maximum potassium concentration in shoots, roots, and tillers of rice plants was observed for P. aurantiaca ARS38-inoculated plants. A significant increase in plant biomass and weight of tillers was attributed to increased nutrient mobilization by biofertilizing Pseudomonas spp. Successful nutrient uptake and increased grain yield of rice suggest the use of biofertilizing pseudomonads to lessen the environmental burden of chemical pesticides and enhance plant productivity. (c) 2024 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.