Perspective of benefi cial microbes in agriculture under changing climatic scenario: A review

Agriculture is a complex network of interactions of plants with microorganisms. There is a growing demand for
ecologically compatible, environment friendly technique in agriculture that might be able to provide adequate
supply of nutrients for the increasing human populations through improvement of the quality and quantity of
agricultural products. Under the changing climatic scenario of global fluxes of the key biogenic greenhouse
gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide), and some other environmental problems, the application
of beneficial microorganisms in agriculture would serve as an important alternative gateway to some of the
traditional agricultural techniques. Microorganisms of agricultural importance represent key ecological strategy
for integrated management practices such as nutrient management, disease, and pest management in order to
reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture as well to improve cultivar performance. The present review is intended
to focus on the emergence of agriculturally important microorganisms to develop an ideal agricultural system
through efficient utilization of nutrients and recycling of energy and thereby to preserve the natural ecosystem
resources under climate change. The progress to date in using the beneficial microflora in a variety of applications
related to agriculture along with key mechanism of action is also discussed in this review.