MSB_2024v15n2

Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 87-98 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 87 Review and Progress Open Access The Role of Soil Microbiota in Rice Cultivation and Its Implications for Agricultural Sustainability Yuandong Hong, Haiying Huang Hier Rice Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: haiying.huang@hitar.org Molecular Soil Biology, 2024, Vol.15, No.2 doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0010 Received: 03 Mar., 2024 Accepted: 07 Apr., 2024 Published: 22 Apr., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Hong and Huang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Hong Y.D., and Huang H.Y., 2024, The role of soil microbiota in rice cultivation and its implications for agricultural sustainability, Molecular Soil Biology, 15(2): 87-98 (doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0010) Abstract This study investigates the critical role of soil microbiomes in rice cultivation and their impact on agricultural sustainability. By analyzing the diversity of soil microorganisms and their roles in nutrient cycling, plant growth promotion, and disease suppression, the research highlights the importance of these microbiomes in maintaining soil health and enhancing rice yields. Additionally, the study explores the effects of different agricultural practices on soil microbiomes, particularly the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, pesticide application, and changes in tillage methods. The results indicate that adopting sustainable agricultural practices, such as reducing chemical fertilizer use and increasing organic inputs, can significantly improve soil microbial diversity, thereby promoting crop growth and soil health. The paper also discusses the latest advancements in microbial inoculant technology and proposes policy recommendations for integrating soil microbiome management into agricultural practices. The research suggests that proper management of soil microorganisms not only contributes to the sustainability of rice production but also plays a vital role in global food security and environmental protection. Keywords Soil microbiomes; Rice cultivation; Sustainable agriculture; Microbial inoculants 1 Introduction Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most critical food crops globally, serving as a staple for over half of the world's population. It plays a vital role in food security, particularly in Asia, where more than 90% of the world's rice is produced and consumed. Beyond its significance in food production, rice cultivation is an essential economic activity that supports millions of livelihoods, especially in rural areas. The unique nature of rice paddies, which have evolved to maximize yield under flooded conditions, profoundly impacts both the environment and the microbiota within these ecosystems. However, the increasing demand for rice, driven by global population growth, presents challenges for sustainable production, making it imperative to adopt agricultural practices that sustain soil health, productivity, and environmental integrity (Edwards et al., 2015). Soil microbiota, which include bacteria, fungi, archaea, and other microorganisms, are fundamental to soil health and agricultural productivity. These microorganisms are involved in various essential processes such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and the suppression of soil-borne diseases. In the context of rice cultivation, soil microbiota play a crucial role in making nutrients available to plants, particularly through the transformation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential elements (Das et al., 2019). The interaction between rice plants and their associated microbiota in the rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and endosphere is key to enhancing crop resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, understanding and managing soil microbiota is essential for promoting sustainable agricultural practices that enhance crop productivity while maintaining environmental health (Liu et al., 2020). This study aims to explore the role of soil microbiota in rice cultivation and its implications for agricultural sustainability. Specifically, it seeks to review the current understanding of how soil microbiota contribute to the productivity and sustainability of rice cropping systems, examine the interactions between rice plants and their associated soil microbiota across different soil compartments, discuss the potential of soil microbiota management in improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing crop yields, and highlight the challenges and opportunities in integrating soil microbiota research into sustainable rice farming practices.

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