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Abstract

Constantly increasing global human populations has put agricultural sector under astounding pressure to fulfil food demands growing worldwide. In order to optimize crop production, usage of agrochemicals in intensive agronomic practices have increased alarmingly. The negative impact of excessive application of agrichemicals on food production, human health and environment raises concerns about its long-term field application. Exploration of alternative means of crop protection and optimization, therefore, warrants inexpensive and environmentally friendly strategy. Use of microbes or microbes-based products among many options is one such important strategy that provides solution to the problems. In this regard, many biocontrol measures have been practiced over time, and some of them have shown exceptional potential and success. Realizing the importance of soil microbiota in crop optimization while reducing the chemical inputs, significance of plant beneficial bacteria in the amelioration of biotic stresses especially the phytopathogens employing microbiome management, microbial volatilomes, and nano-bioformulations is discussed. The relationship between the agriculturally useful soil microbiomes and food crops enables the development of microbes-based antagonist strategies for low-cost production of food crops in worrying open field environment.