Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 153-161 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 159 health by maintaining plant productivity and reducing soil degradation (Breidenbach et al., 2016). Overall, the integration of non-rhizobial endophytic microbes into rice cultivation practices holds promise for enhancing soil health and sustainability in the long term. 7 Challenges and Considerations 7.1 Environmental factors The application of non-rhizobial endophytic microbes in rice cultivation is influenced by various environmental factors. Temperature, rainfall, seasonal variations, and UV radiation can impact the efficacy of these microbial communities. For instance, the study on Azotobacter sp. strain Avi2 highlighted that endophytic microbes are less affected by these physical factors compared to rhizospheric and phylloplane microbes, making them more stable in varying environmental conditions (Imchen et al., 2019; Tian et al., 2021). However, the specific environmental conditions of the rice-growing regions must be considered to ensure the optimal performance of these endophytes. 7.2 Microbial consortia compatibility Compatibility among microbial consortia is crucial for the successful application of endophytic microbes. The interaction between different microbial strains and their ability to coexist and function synergistically can significantly affect plant growth promotion. For example, a consortium of non-rhizobial endophytic microbes fromTypha angustifolia was shown to improve nitrogen metabolism in rice, indicating the importance of selecting compatible microbial strains (Sahu et al., 2020). The study on Rhizobium leguminosarumbv. trifolii demonstrated that multi-strain consortia could significantly increase grain yield, emphasizing the need for careful selection and compatibility testing of microbial consortia 3. 7.3 Economic and practical aspects The economic and practical aspects of using non-rhizobial endophytic microbes in rice cultivation include the cost of microbial inoculants, application methods, and potential reduction in chemical fertilizer usage. The use of endophytic microbes can lead to a substantial reduction in nitrogen fertilizer requirements, as demonstrated by the application of Azotobacter sp. strain Avi2, which achieved similar yield parameters with only 50% of the recommended nitrogenous fertilizer dose. This reduction in fertilizer use can lower production costs and minimize environmental impact. However, the initial cost of developing and producing microbial inoculants, as well as the need for specialized application techniques, must be considered. Large-scale field trials, such as those conducted in the Nile delta with Rhizobium leguminosarumbv. trifolii, are essential to validate the economic viability and practical implementation of these microbial solutions (Yanni and Dazzo, 2010). Acknowledgments Thanks very much for the feedback from the reviewers on the manuscript, which has made this study more comprehensive. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Banik A., Dash G., Swain P., Kumar U., Mukhopadhyay S., and Dangar T., 2019, Application of rice (Oryza sativa L.) root endophytic diazotrophic Azotobacter sp. strain Avi2 (MCC 3432) can increase rice yield under green house and field condition, Microbiological Research, 219: 56-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2018.11.004 Breidenbach B., Pump J., and Dumont, M., 2016, Microbial community structure in the rhizosphere of rice plants, Frontiers in Microbiology, 6: 1537. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2015.01537 Debnath S., Chakraborty S., Langthasa M., Choure K., Agnihotri V., Srivastava A., Rai P., Tilwari A., Maheshwari D., and Pandey P., 2023, Non-rhizobial nodule endophytes improve nodulation, change root exudation pattern and promote the growth of lentil, for prospective application in fallow soil, Frontiers in Plant Science, 14: 1152875. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1152875 Ding L.J., Cui H.L., Nie S.A., Long X.E., Duan G.L., and Zhu Y.G., 2019, Microbiomes inhabiting rice roots and rhizosphere, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 95(5): fiz040. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiz040
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