An Overview of Cyanobacterial Contributions to Agriculture

Purpose: This paper reviews the diverse agricultural applications of cyanobacteria for improving soil health, plant growth, and agricultural sustainability.

Research Method: The paper provides a literature review summarizing recent research on cyanobacteria's roles in soil aggregation, biofertilization, abiotic/biotic stress tolerance, yield improvements, carbon sequestration, and bioremediation. Both laboratory studies and field trials evaluating cyanobacteria's effects on soil properties and plant growth are discussed.

Findings: Cyanobacteria can enhance soil structure, provide fixed nitrogen, mitigate salinity stress, increase crop yields, and sequester carbon. Their stress adaptations, antimicrobial metabolites, and synergies with plants and microbes underpin many benefits. However, translating laboratory research into effective field inoculants remains challenging.

Research Limitation: Variability in effectiveness across cyanobacterial strains, plant species, and environments limits current understanding. More field testing is needed along with assessment of potentially negative impacts.

Originality/Value: This review highlights promising areas for cyanobacteria to promote agricultural sustainability while identifying knowledge gaps in genetics, plant-microbe interactions, and soil ecology that require further study. It emphasizes the need for locally-adapted, integrated solutions leveraging cyanobacteria's multifunctional traits.