The use of chemical fertilizers has been a traditional approach to enhance plant growth and improve crop yield. However, the overuse of these fertilizers can lead to soil degradation and environmental pollution. Furthermore, chemical fertilizers can also negatively impact soil microbiota, leading to declining soil health and nutrient availability.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has been effective in enhancing plant growth and improving nutrient uptake. These bacteria are naturally present in the rhizosphere, the region surrounding plant roots, and can form a mutualistic relationship with plants. PGPR can produce plant hormones, solubilize nutrients, and fix nitrogen, among other beneficial effects. The application of PGPR as a biofertilizer has emerged as a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers. Although the beneficial effects of PGPR on plant growth are well-documented, the mechanisms underlying the interaction between PGPR and plants are not fully understood. Studying the interaction between PGPR and plants can help elucidate the biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in this relationship and lead to the development of more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.

This Methods Collection aims to provide a comprehensive set of techniques for studying the interaction between PGPR and plants. These techniques include but are not limited to isolation and characterization of PGPR strains, assessment of their effects on plant growth, relationship building of plant-PGPR, microscopy techniques to visualize the colonization of PGPR on plant roots, and molecular analysis of gene expression.