As the global population continues to grow and climate change intensifies, agricultural systems are facing unprecedented challenges. To meet food demand, agriculture has long relied on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but these chemicals not only pollute the environment but also pose potential risks to human health. Meanwhile, crop diseases, particularly those caused by fungi, result in 20%–40% of global yield losses annually, with mycotoxin contamination posing a significant threat to food security. Against this backdrop, can we find an agricultural management method that is both efficient and environmentally friendly?
A review article by Assistant Professor Saji GEORGE’s team from the Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry at McGill University, Canada, suggests that bacterial endophytes may become a key driver of sustainable agricultural development. The paper has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025655).
Endophytes are microorganisms that live inside plant tissues without causing disease. They not only promote plant growth but also enhance crop resistance to pathogens. Compared to traditional chemical pesticides, bacterial endophytes, as biocontrol agents or plant biostimulants, offer advantages such as environmental friendliness, target specificity, and low risk of resistance development. These microorganisms act through multiple mechanisms. For instance, they can help plants fix atmospheric nitrogen and solubilize soil phosphorus, thereby reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. They also produce antimicrobial compounds that directly inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens. Additionally, some endophytes can activate the plant's own immune system, enabling a faster and more effective response to pathogen invasion.
While laboratory results are promising, the performance of bacterial endophytes in actual farmland applications is often inconsistent. Environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation, temperature fluctuations, and soil pH can affect their survival and functionality. Furthermore, the storage and transportation of microbial formulations present significant challenges to their widespread adoption.
To overcome these bottlenecks, researchers are exploring the application of nanotechnology in microbial formulations. For example, microencapsulation technology can encapsulate bacteria in protective materials, enhancing their tolerance to harsh environments. The use of Pickering emulsions or centrifugal spinning techniques can improve the release properties and targeting precision of the formulations. These methods help extend the shelf life of microbial products and enhance their field performance.
Currently, bacterial endophytes and related formulations have demonstrated considerable potential, but their widespread application still faces scientific, technical, and policy challenges. Further research is needed across aspects such as strain screening, formulation development, and field management. Additionally, coordinated international regulatory frameworks and farmer training systems are urgently required.
In summary, bacterial endophytes represent a transformative agricultural path from chemical dependence to biological synergy. They are not only tools to replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides but also important components of building healthy farmland ecosystems. With sustained scientific research investment and technological advancement, such green solutions are expected to support the achievement of food security and ecological balance in the future.
DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025655