The roles of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in sustainable vegetable production in Ethiopia

Habtamu Mekonnen,Mulugeta Kibret

doi:10.1186/s40538-021-00213-y

Habtamu Mekonnen, Mulugeta Kibret

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-021-00213-y

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Abstract

Vegetable production is an important economic activity and a major source of vitamins, minerals, and income in Ethiopia. However, the production of vegetables is much less developed than the production of food grains in the country. Vegetable production still needs improvement in combating biotic and abiotic threats with innovative technologies. Nowadays, excess use of chemical fertilizers to satisfy the increasing demand for food exerts deadly effects on soil microorganisms and contribute to the deterioration of soil fertility and an increase in atmospheric pollution. Several types of research are still going on to understand the diversity and importance of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and their role in the betterment of vegetable production. PGPR facilitate plant growth directly by either assisting in the acquisition of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients) or regulation of the levels of hormones. Indirectly PGPR decrease the inhibitory effects of various pathogens on vegetable growth and development in the forms of biocontrol agents. Some of the notable PGPR capable of facilitating the growth of vegetables such as potato, tomato, pepper, onion belong to genera of Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Azotobacter, Enterobacter, and Azospirillum. Hence, to optimize vegetable production with reduced input of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, the use of PGPR in vegetable cultivation is recommended.

Highlights

Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa with a total population of 114,963,588 [1]
Ethiopia has a comparative advantage in several vegetable crops due to its favorable climate
Various species of rhizospheric bacteria like P. fluorescent, P. putida, B. subtilis, B. firmus, B. cereus and B. thuringiensis associated with vegetable crops including tomato, pepper, and potato in Ethiopia

Summary

Introduction

Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa with a total population of 114,963,588 [1]. This growing population requires a better agricultural production performance than ever before to ensure food security [2]. In Ethiopia, over 85% of the population depends on agriculture. Agricultural productivity is low due to lack of advanced agricultural technologies and yield losses caused by biotic and abiotic factors [3]. Growing and using vegetables is an opportunity that has never been adequately prospected to alleviate malnutrition and ameliorate food insecurity in developing countries like Ethiopia [4]. Vegetables are increasingly recognized as essential for food and nutrition security

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