Techniques Used for Screening and Detection of Beneficial Microorganisms Used for Production of Nanobiofertilizers

Abstract

The foundation of many developing nations and advancements of most industrialized nations is highly reliant on agriculture, as this plays significant roles in the global economic progress. There are numerous health risks and environmental issues associated with the continual and widespread use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural systems to boost crop yields. To increase agricultural output and environmental sustainability with little or no environmental risks, a new nanotechnological system was developed as a preferred viable option. This involves the combination of beneficial microorganisms and nanomaterials to produce nanobiofertilizers (NBFs). These NBFs outperform chemical fertilizers by intelligently transferring nutrients to plants. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms are a group of useful microorganisms that can directly enhance nutrient uptake, modify the levels of all plant hormones, or indirectly through some machinery, lessen the negative effects of various plant pathogens on crop plants. Finding potential candidates for nanobiofertilizers can be done by testing a large number of organisms in the lab for essential characteristics involved in increasing plant growth and fitness. This chapter therefore highlights characteristic traits of potential plant growth-promoting microorganisms as well as screening techniques used for detection of these beneficial microbes with potential applications for nanobiofertilizer production.