Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 129-139 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 129 Feature Review Open Access Boosting Soil Health: The Role of Rhizobium in Legume Nitrogen Fixation Wenzhong Huang Tropical Plant Research Center, Hainan Intitute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: wenzhong.huang@hitar.org Molecular Soil Biology, 2024, Vol.15, No.3 doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0014 Received: 08 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 18 May, 2024 Published: 7 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 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: Huang W.Z., 2024, Boosting soil health: the role of rhizobium in legume nitrogen fixation, Molecular Soil Biology, 15(3): 129-139 (doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0014) Abstract Soil health is a critical component of sustainable agriculture, influencing crop productivity and environmental balance. Nitrogen fixation, a process central to plant growth, is significantly enhanced through the symbiotic relationship between legumes and Rhizobiumbacteria. This study explores the detailed mechanisms of Rhizobiuminfection in legume roots, the formation of root nodules, and the biochemical pathways involved in nitrogen fixation. The ecological and agricultural benefits of this symbiosis are profound, including enhanced soil nitrogen levels, reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers, improved soil structure, and greater microbial diversity, all contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. The diversity of Rhizobium strains and their specific interactions with different legume species, as well as their adaptations to various environmental conditions, are discussed. The study also addresses the factors influencing Rhizobium efficiency, including soil conditions, agricultural practices, and genetic factors. Advances in Rhizobium inoculant technology and their application in agriculture are reviewed, along with the challenges and limitations faced in widespread adoption. Finally, future perspectives and research directions are proposed, emphasizing the potential for genetic engineering, integration with other soil health practices, and expanding the use of Rhizobiumbeyond legumes. The study concludes by highlighting the pivotal role of Rhizobiumin promoting soil health and sustainable agriculture, and calls for continued research and development inRhizobium-based solutions. Keywords Rhizobium; Nitrogen fixation; Soil health; Sustainable agriculture; Legume symbiosis 1 Introduction Soil health is a critical component of sustainable agriculture, influencing crop productivity, environmental quality, and the resilience of agricultural systems. Healthy soils support plant growth by providing essential nutrients, water, and a habitat for a diverse range of organisms. However, modern agricultural practices, including the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, have led to soil degradation, reduced fertility, and increased vulnerability to climate change (Mabrouk et al., 2018). Sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation, organic amendments, and the use of biofertilizers, are essential to restore and maintain soil health (Abd-Alla et al., 2023). Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plant growth, playing a key role in the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll. While atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is abundant, it is not directly accessible to most plants. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a natural process where certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, a form that plants can readily absorb and utilize (Lindström and Mousavi, 2019). This process is particularly important for legumes, which form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, to meet their nitrogen requirements (Dall’Agnol et al., 2013; Allito et al., 2020). By enhancing nitrogen availability, BNF supports plant growth, improves soil fertility, and reduces the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers (Santi et al., 2013). The symbiotic relationship between Rhizobium bacteria and leguminous plants is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. Rhizobia infect the roots of legume plants, leading to the formation of root nodules where nitrogen fixation occurs (Thompson and Lamp, 2021). This symbiosis not only provides the host plant with a direct source of nitrogen but also enriches the soil with nitrogen, benefiting subsequent crops in rotation systems (Yang et al., 2021). Effective Rhizobium-legume symbiosis can significantly enhance crop yields, improve soil health, and
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