APPLICATION OF RHIZOSPHERIC BACTERIA FORSUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES, BIOREMEDIATIONOF HEAVY METALS AND PRODUCTION OF BIOACTIVECOMPOUNDS

Abstract

Rhizospheric bacteria, inhabiting the soil closely associated with plant roots, have emerged as a vital resource in biotechnology due to their diverse metabolic functions. These microbes play a crucial role in promoting plant growth, improving soil health, and detoxifying polluted environments. Their unique abilities to tolerate heavy metals, produce siderophores, and synthesize pharmaceutically relevant bioactive compounds have attracted considerable scientific interest. Siderophores, in particular, are iron-chelating agents that not only facilitate iron uptake in plants and microbes but also show significant promise in medical applications, including treatment of iron overload and targeted drug delivery. For instance, siderophore-antibiotic conjugates such as cefiderocol have demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Furthermore, contaminated soils can be bioremediated using rhizospheric bacteria that can withstand harmful heavy metals, lowering risks to human health and the environment. despite these benefits, large-scale applications are hampered by issues like the limited cultivability of microbial strains, variations in rhizospheric environments, and biosafety worries regarding gene transfer. By making it possible to discover, improve, and use effective bacterial strains, recent developments in microbial formulation, synthetic biology, and omics technologies present promising answers. Rhizospheric bacteria are set to play a pivotal role in achieving the growing global demands for sustainable agriculture, environmental restoration, and innovative therapeutics. Unlocking their full potential in the fields of ecology, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals requires present research and innovation.