Harnessing the potential of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria: A rich bio-resource for sustainable soil fertility and enhanced crop productivity
Taufiq Nawaz, Nitish Joshi, Dillon Nelson, Shah Saud, Nader R. Abdelsalam, Mohamed M. A. Abdelhamid, Mariusz Jaremko, Tanzeel Ur Rahman, Shah Fahad
Abstract
Adopting sustainable farming strategies that limit the reliance on synthetic fertilizers is critical to maintain soil health and minimizing environmental impact. Cyanobacteria, tiny organisms capable of making their own food through photosynthesis, have the unique capability by transforming atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia or nitrate form that plants can utilize. This natural process makes them a valuable alternative for soil fertilization and enhancing plant growth. The study examines the role of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria for soil quality improvement and crop productivity. It highlights the mechanism by which these bacteria assimilates atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to plants, mainly in rice farming contexts. Additionally, this paper addresses the synergistic effects of integrating cyanobacteria with other beneficial bacteria to further enhance soil health and promote plant growth. It examines the challenges and opportunities associated with large-scale implementation of cyanobacterial fertilizers, including the choice of appropriate bacterial species and effective application strategies. The review also emphasis how genetic engineering and other advanced techniques are being used to improve cyanobacteria’s ability to fix nitrogen and improve stress tolerance. By compiling current research, this review provides a comprehensive overview of how these nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria can support sustainable agriculture practices and suggests future research directions to make their use even more effective in various agricultural practices. • Cyanobacteria form symbiotic relationships, enhancing nitrogen availability in crops. • This review highlights the use of cyanobacteria to improve soil quality and crop yields. • Combining cyanobacteria with PGPB improves soil nutrients and increases crop yields. • Genetic engineering improves cyanobacteria for better nitrogen fixation and stress resistance.