Applications, advancements, and challenges of cyanobacteria-based biofertilizers for sustainable agro and ecosystems in arid climates

Abstract

Based on the increasing world population, the food demands have tremendously increased. Chemical-based conventional agricultural practices will be required to fulfill the food demands, which will damage the soil and create other environmental concerns. Cyanobacteria are one of the sustainable solutions to overcome agricultural struggles. With the potential to grow in extreme conditions, cyanobacteria can boost agricultural practices in arid regions by overcoming challenges such as water scarcity, elevated temperatures, salinity, and infertile soil. Cyanobacteria produce secondary metabolites that improve the soil status and bioavailability of nutrients and defend plants against biotic and abiotic stress. They are the first ones to colonize and form biological soil crust (BSC), thereby involved in ecological succession. There exists a knowledge gap related to climatic changes and their impact on terrestrial cyanobacteria as much attention is diverted towards non-terrestrial species. Covering this gap will be beneficial for the future of cyanobacteria based biofertilizer (CBF).