Functions of Soil Microbes Under Stress Environment

Abstract

All the functions carried out in an ecosystem are due to the action of several microbial species present in the earth. So, any kind of stress can alter their proper functioning and force them into stress conditions. However, microbes have the ability to reduce the intensity of stress by several acclimation mechanisms. In this review, the type of stressors like drought, temperature (freezing, high), soil type, heavy metals, nutrient status, etc., which affect the functions of microbes and the acclimation mechanisms to respond such stress conditions, was discussed. In addition, some techniques which were used by researchers to identify the population of microbes and their action toward stress were also discussed. Also, this review highlights how microbes play a role in reducing stress conditions from plants. This is because in a soil ecosystem, plants and microbes rely on each other, and any sort of stress that affects microbes will also influence physiology of plants as well. Among all the type of microbes, bacteria and fungi are discussed briefly because of their abundance in soil ecosystem and their beneficial role in enhancing plant growth under stress environments.