ISSN: 0973-7510

E-ISSN: 2581-690X

Review Article | Open Access
K. Rithikha Sharmi1, R. Poorniammal1 , S. Prabhu2, S. Karthikeyan1,3and U. Sivakumar1
1Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Department of Plant Protection, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu, India.
3Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Article Number: 11617 | © The Author(s). 2026
J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2026;20(3):1865-1882. https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.20.3.38
Received: 31 March 2026 | Accepted: 13 July 2026 | Published online: 01 September 2026
Issue online: September 2026
Abstract

Sustainable agriculture requires strategies that enhance crop productivity while reducing dependence on chemical inputs which are efficient, profitable, eco-friendly and conserve or enhance renewable resources. Microorganisms play a vital role in maintaining soil texture, health and fertility. Plant-associated methylotrophic bacteria, particularly Methylobacterium spp. (pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs, PPFMs), have gained attention as effective biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. These bacteria are widely distributed in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere of plants, where they utilize plant-derived methanol for growth and establish beneficial associations with host plants. Methylobacterium promotes plant development through multiple mechanisms, including phytohormone production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore synthesis, and improved nutrient uptake. They also enhance plant defense by inducing systemic resistance, producing antimicrobial compounds, and competing with pathogens for nutrients and colonization sites. Additionally, their ability to tolerate environmental stress and degrade toxic compounds supports plant resilience under adverse conditions. Overall, Methylobacterium spp. offers a sustainable alternative approach for improving crop productivity, maintaining soil health, and reducing reliance on agrochemicals.

Keywords

Biocontrol, Drought Mitigation, Methylobacterium, Plant Growth Promotion, Sustainable Agriculture

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© The Author(s) 2026. Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License which permits unrestricted use, sharing, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.