The interest in bacteria for agricultural purposes is increasing, as their effectiveness has been proven in recent years and now bacteria are involved in almost all areas of agriculture. As an example, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) offer myriad advantages such as biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, etc., enhancing crop productivity and nutrient levels, while thwarting the proliferation of pathogens. Positioned as an eco-friendly technology, bacteria seem to be useful in reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers, thereby fostering improvements in soil health. In addition, probiotic bacteria play a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being and overall immunity of diverse livestock animals. By curbing the need for excessive antibiotic use, they contribute to the healthier growth of animals destined for meat production. Moreover, specific bacteria contribute to managing and neutralizing the odors emanating from organic solid waste in agriculture, and bacterial treatment is posited as an efficacious method for managing the slurry generated in animal farms. Undoubtedly, there are many more examples of the use of bacteria in agriculture and this Issue is a great opportunity to present them.

This Special Issue aims to compile the latest breakthroughs and insights into the applications of bacteria in agriculture. The intent is to create a compendium of reviews and research papers covering both fundamental and applied aspects of utilizing beneficial bacteria for agricultural biocontrol.

Our primary areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Biodiversity of bacteria applied in agriculture with a special focus on genera: Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, etc.
• Their bioinformatics, genetic and physiological characterization
• Functional diversity of such bacteria and mechanisms of their action
• Beneficial bioactive products of bacterial metabolism
• Cases and reports of bacteria application in agriculture including greenhouse and field trails, animal experiments, etc.
• Exploring future perspectives

For authors, please review the journal's information regarding Author Guidelines and Article Processing Charges, or direct any questions to the Editorial Office: abp@frontierspartnerships.org.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: agriculture, beneficial bacteria, diversity, plant growth promotion, metabolites