Pedosphere 36(1): 147--164, 2026
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2026 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Insights into the biodiversity, mechanisms and plant growth-promoting effects of Bradyrhizobium and its potential in sustainable agriculture: A review |
Roohi SHARMA1, Deepak KUMAR1, Nitika KAPOOR2, Puja OHRI1 |
1 Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 (India);
2 Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 (India) |
| ABSTRACT |
| Bradyrhizobium is a genus with diverse species in the α-proteobacteria group, known for its ability to form symbiotic and endophytic relationships with both leguminous and non-leguminous plants. Despite its global prevalence, the biodiversity of Bradyrhizobium is underreported, particularly in tropical regions. The genus encompasses multiple species with varying symbiotic abilities, and genetic diversity is influenced by environmental factors and soil management practices. These species are prevalent in dry, acidic soils, particularly in Australia and South America. These nitrogen (N)-fixing bacteria thrive in diverse and challenging soil environments, exhibiting resilience through metabolic diversity, stress tolerance, and the ability to utilize various carbon (C) sources. Nitrogen fixation by rhizobium is a highly energy-demanding process that converts atmospheric N (N2) into ammonia (NH3) under microaerobic conditions. The efficiency of symbiotic N fixation is influenced by environmental stresses, soil conditions, and the genetic diversity of the rhizobial community. This review focuses on the role of Bradyrhizobium in alleviating abiotic stresses and ameliorating biotic stresses in plants. Bradyrhizobium plays a crucial role in mitigating abiotic stresses in plants, such as salinity, drought, and extreme temperatures. Through symbiotic relationships, Bradyrhizobium helps plants to mobilize nutrients, produce phytohormones, and enhance stress tolerance by antioxidative mechanisms, ultimately contributing to improved agricultural productivity. This review highlights the importance of Bradyrhizobium in sustainable agricultural practices, which emphasizes its potential to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers and improve plant resilience to environmental stresses. This review focuses on the progress made in understanding its biodiversity to date and sets the stage for further exploration of the specific mechanisms through which Bradyrhizobium mitigates stress in plants. |
| Key Words: environmental stress|N-fixing bacteria|rhizobacteria|stress mitigation|sustainable agricultural practices|symbiotic relationships |
| Citation: Sharma R, Kumar, D, Kapoor, N, Ohri P. 2026. Insights into the biodiversity, mechanisms and plant growth-promoting effects of Bradyrhizobium and its potential in sustainable agriculture: A review. Pedosphere. 36(1): 147-164. |
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