Exploring the plant growth promoting attributes of pteridophyte-associated microbiome for agricultural sustainability.

Pteridophytes, encompassing ferns and fern allies, are integral components of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. These vascular plants characterized by their spore-based reproduction, fulfil various ecological roles such as influencing biodiversity, soil stability, nutrient dynamics, and ecological succession. Similar to higher plants, pteridophytes too are known to have close symbiotic associations with a diverse array of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes.

Perspectives of pteridophytes microbiome for bioremediation in agricultural applications.

The microbiome is the synchronised congregation of millions of microbial cells in a particular ecosystem. The rhizospheric, phyllospheric, and endospheric microbial diversity of lower groups of plants like pteridophytes, which includes the Ferns and Fern Allies, have also given numerous alternative opportunities to achieve greener and sustainable agriculture. The broad-spectrum bioactivities of these microorganisms, including bioremediation of heavy metals (HMs) in contaminated soil, have been drawing the attention of agricultural researchers for the preparation of bioformulations for applications in climate-resilient and versatile agricultural production systems.