Beneficial microbes are applied to the soil and plant tissues directly or through seed inoculation, whereas soil application is preferred when there is risk of inhibitors or antagonistic microbes on the plant tissues. Insufficient survival of the microorganisms, hindrance in application of fungicides to the seeds and exposure to heat and sunlight in subsequent seed storage in conventional inoculation methods forces to explore appropriate and efficient bacterial application method. Seed priming; where seeds are hydrated to activate metabolism without actual germination followed by drying, increases the germination, stand establishment and stress tolerance in different crops. Seed priming with living bacterial inoculum is termed as biopriming as involves the application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. It increases speed and uniformity of germination, also ensures rapid, uniform and high establishment of crops, and hence improves harvest quality and yield. Seed biopriming allows the bacteria to enter/adhere the seeds and also acclimatization of bacteria in the prevalent conditions. This review focuses used methods of biopriming, also the role in improving crop productivity and stress tolerance along with prospects of this technology. The comparison of methods being followed is also reviewed proposing biopriming as promising technique for application of beneficial microbes to the seeds.

As farming practices evolve and climate conditions shift, achieving sustainable food production for a growing global population requires innovative strategies to optimize environmentally friendly practices and minimize ecological impacts. Agroecosystems, which integrate agricultural practices with the surrounding environment, play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and ensuring food security. Rhizosphere management has emerged as a pivotal approach to enhancing crop yields, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and supporting sustainable agriculture. The rhizosphere, a dynamic zone surrounding plant roots, hosts intense microbial activity fueled by root exudates. These exudates, along with practices such as green manure application and intercropping, significantly influence the soil’s microbial community structure. Beneficial plant-associated microbes, including Trichoderma spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., and Bacillus spp., play a crucial role in improving nutrient cycling and promoting plant health, yet their interactions within the rhizosphere remain inadequately understood. This review explores how integrating beneficial microbes, green manures, and intercropping enhances rhizosphere processes to rebuild microbial communities, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These practices not only contribute to maintaining soil health but also foster positive plant–microbe–rhizosphere interactions that benefit entire ecosystems. By implementing such strategies alongside sound policy measures, sustainable cropping systems can be developed to address predicted climate challenges. Strengthening agroecosystem resilience through improved rhizosphere processes is essential for ensuring food security and environmental sustainability in the future. In conclusion, using these rhizosphere-driven processes, we could develop more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems that ensure food security and environmental preservation amidst changing climate situations.

Application of chemical fertilizers besides economic concerns has been a reason of environmental and ecosystem degradation, so sustainable organic agriculture is becoming popular in researches and among farming communities. Phosphorus holds second position after nitrogen among macronutrients required for better plant growth and is needed in higher amounts. Meeting this high phosphorus input for better crop yields causes environmental problems like eutrophication, so phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are being emphasized to utilize phosphorus fixed in soil layers. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of PSB on plant growth, soil biological properties including enzymes and soil respiration. Treatments including control, 50 mg kg -1 nitrogen, 50 mg kg -1 nitrogen and 12 mg kg -1 phosphorus applications reduced dosage of nitrogen 25 mg kg -1 with PGPR and 25 mg kg -1 nitrogen along with 0.12 g raw phosphate and PGPR. Results indicated that plant parameters like above and below ground plant biomasses (fresh and dry weight), plant nitrogen and phosphorus content were significantly enhanced in all the treatments when compared with the control. While soil pH in rhizosphere significantly increased with the treatments, bulk soil pH decreased with PGPR treatments when compared with all other treatments. EC values in rhizosphere and bulk soils were not significantly influenced with the treatments. Rhizospheric and bulk soil showed high amount of N, P and organic matter in PGPR treatments. Alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase activities were found significantly higher in the last treatment than the other treatments. Basal soil respiration was interestingly found higher in control soil but did not differ statistically from the other treatments. Concluding, application of PGPR with lower amounts of chemical fertilizers can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and has also potential of improving soil health in long term aspects.