Reutilization of Fruit Waste as Potential Prebiotic for Probiotic or Food-grade Microorganisms in Food Applications: A Review.

Food waste has been a global issue with 2.5 billion tons generated globally in 2021. Approximately 46% of the food waste is contributed by fruit and vegetable waste. Due to improper waste handling, these fruit by-products have a negative impact on the environment through soil and water pollution, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and eutrophication. However, research has shown the potential to reuse fruit waste in various applications for sustainability owing to their high source of valuable components and potential health benefits. In recent years, researchers have also explored the potential of reutilizing fruit waste as a prebiotic. Hence, literatures from the past 10 years has been critically analyzed and presented in this review. This review focused on the potential of fruit waste as a prebiotic for probiotic and gastrointestinal microorganisms and its food applications. The nutritional composition and bioactive compounds of the fruit wastes had been introduced to reflect their potential as prebiotics. Moreover, the increase in bioactive compounds and bioactivities in probiotics with the presence of fruit wastes has been reviewed. The impact of fruit by-products on the growth of the probiotic and its survivability in food matrices as compared to established prebiotic and the absence of prebiotics have also been extensively discussed in this review. This review also highlighted some of the factors that might contribute to the negative effect of fruit waste on probiotics. The safety concerns and future prospects of reutilizing fruit wastes for food applications have been emphasized. The review article is beneficial for researchers exploring fruit wastes as prebiotics and industrialists who are interested in incorporating fruit wastes as an added-value ingredient for food applications.

Impacts of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Trichoderma spp. on Pac Choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) grown in different hydroponic systems.

Soilless production systems (i.e hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics) have become commonplace in urban settings and controlled environments. They are efficient nutrient recyclers, space savers, and water conservers. However, they lack high levels of biological richness in the root microbiome when compared to soil production systems, which may affect plant health and nutrient uptake. To address this issue and incorporate more sustainable practices, beneficial microorganisms (i.e. Trichoderma spp., Bacillus sp.) can be added in the form of biofertilizers. However, many factors affect impacts of microorganisms and their interactions with plants. In this experiment, Black Summer Pac Choi (Brassica rapa var. Chinensis) was grown for two trials in a Deep-Water system (DWS) or a Nutrient Film Technique system (NFT) with commercial biofertilizers containing Trichoderma spp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, a combination of both, and a control. Plant physiology, nutrient composition, and nutrient uptake efficiency (NUE) were generally negatively affected by Trichoderma spp. both growing systems, indicating that Trichoderma may not be recommended for hydroponic production. However, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens showed promise as an effective biofertilizer in the NFT systems and had a positive influence on NUE in DWS.

Microbial diversity across tea varieties and ecological niches: correlating tea polyphenol contents with stress resistance.

Introduction: Microorganisms exhibit intricate interconnections with tea plants; however, despite the well-established role of microorganisms in crop growth and development, research on microbes within the tea plant remains insufficient, particularly regarding endophytic microorganisms. Methods: In this study, we collected samples of leaves and rhizosphere soils from 'Zhuyeqi', 'Baojing Huangjincha#1', 'Baiye#1', and 'Jinxuan' varieties planted. Results: Our analyses revealed significant variations in tea polyphenol contents among tea varieties, particularly with the 'Zhuyeqi' variety exhibiting higher levels of tea polyphenols (>20% contents). Microbiome studies have revealed that endophytic microbial community in tea plants exhibited higher host specificity compared to rhizospheric microbial community. Analyses of across-ecological niches of the microbial community associated with tea plants revealed that soil bacteria serve as a significant reservoir for endophytic bacteria in tea plants, Bacillus may play a crucial role in shaping the bacterial community across-ecological niche within the tea plants with higher tea polyphenol levels. In the aforementioned analyses, the microbial community of 'Zhuyeqi' exhibited a higher degree of host specificity for leaf endophytic microorganisms, the topological structure of the co-occurrence network is also more intricate, harboring a greater number of potential core microorganisms within its nodes. A closer examination was conducted on the microbial community of 'Zhuyeqi', further analyses of its endophytic bacteria indicated that its endophytic microbial community harbored a greater abundance of biomarkers, particularly among bacteria, and the enriched Methylobacterium and Sphingomonas in 'Zhuyeqi' may play distinct roles in disease resistance and drought resilience in tea plants. Conclusion: In summary, this study has shed light on the intricate relationships of tea plant varieties with their associated microbial communities, unveiling the importance of microorganisms and tea varieties with higher tea polyphenols, and offering valuable insights to the study of microorganisms and tea plants.

Microbial Fertilizers: A Study on the Current Scenario of Brazilian Inoculants and Future Perspectives.

The increasing need for sustainable agricultural practices, combined with the demand for enhanced crop productivity, has led to a growing interest in utilizing microorganisms for biocontrol of diseases and pests, as well as for growth promotion. In Brazilian agriculture, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) has become increasingly prevalent, with a corresponding rise in the number of registered microbial inoculants each year. PGPR and PGPF occupy diverse niches within the rhizosphere, playing a crucial role in soil nutrient cycling and influencing a wide range of plant physiological processes. This review examines the primary mechanisms employed by these microbial agents to promote growth, as well as the strategy of co-inoculation to enhance product efficacy. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the microbial inoculants currently available in Brazil, detailing the microorganisms accessible for major crops, and discuss the market's prospects for the research and development of novel products in light of current challenges faced in the coming years.

Global citrus root microbiota unravels assembly cues and core members.

Introduction: Citrus is one of the most important fruit crops worldwide, and the root-associated microbiota can have a profound impact on tree health and growth. Methods: In a collaborative effort, the International Citrus Microbiome Consortium investigated the global citrus root microbiota with samples collected from nine citrus-producing countries across six continents. We analyzed 16S rDNA and ITS2 amplicon sequencing data to identify predominant prokaryotic and fungal taxa in citrus root samples. Comparative analyses were conducted between root-associated microbial communities and those from the corresponding rhizosphere and bulk soil samples. Additionally, genotype-based group-wise comparisons were performed to assess the impact of citrus genotype on root microbiota composition. Results: Ten predominant prokaryotic phyla, containing nine bacterial phyla including Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Bacteroidetes and one archaeal phylum (Thaumarchaeota), and multiple fungal phyla including Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were identified in the citrus root samples. Compared with the microbial communities from the corresponding rhizosphere and bulk soil samples from the same trees, the prokaryotic and fungal communities in the roots exhibited lower diversity and complexity but greater modularity compared to those in the rhizosphere. In total, 30 root-enriched and 150 root-depleted genera in bacterial community were identified, whereas 21 fungal genera were enriched, and 147 fungal genera were depleted in the root niche compared with the rhizosphere. The citrus genotype significantly affected the root prokaryotic and fungal communities. In addition, we have identified the core root prokaryotic genera comprising Acidibacter, Allorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Chitinophaga, Cupriavidus, Devosia, Dongia, Niastella, Pseudomonas, Sphingobium, Steroidobacter and Streptomyces, and the core fungal genera including Acrocalymma, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Gibberella, Mortierella, Neocosmospora and Volutella. The potential functions of these core genera of root microbiota were predicted. Conclusion: Overall, this study provides new insights into the assembly of microbial communities and identifies core members of citrus root microbiota across a wide geographic range. The findings offer valuable information for manipulating root microbiota to enhance plant growth and health.

Systematics and phylogeny of the entomopathogenic nematobacterial complexes Steinernema-Xenorhabdus and Heterorhabditis-Photorhabdus.

Entomopathogenic nematodes of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, along with their bacterial symbionts from the genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, respectively, are important biological control agents against agricultural pests. Rapid progress in the development of genomic tools has catalyzed a transformation of the systematics of these organisms, reshaping our understanding of their phylogenetic and cophlylogenetic relationships. In this review, we discuss the major historical events in the taxonomy and systematics of this group of organisms, highlighting the latest advancements in these fields. Additionally, we synthesize information on nematode-bacteria associations and assess the existing evidence regarding their cophylogenetic relationships.

Alleviating Coral Thermal Stress via Inoculation with Quorum Quenching Bacteria.

In the background of global warming, coral bleaching induced by elevated seawater temperature is the primary cause of coral reef degradation. Coral microbiome engineering using the beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMCs) has become a hot spot in the field of coral reef conservation and restoration. Investigating the potential of alleviating thermal stress by quorum quenching (QQ) bacteria may provide more tools for coral microbial engineering remediation. In this study, QQ bacteria strain Pseudoalteromonas piscicida SCSIO 43740 was screened among 75 coral-derived bacterial strains, and its quorum sensing inhibitor (QSI) compound was isolated and identified as 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP). Then, the thermal stress alleviating potential of QQ bacteria on coral Pocillopora damicornis was tested by a 30-day controlled experiment with three different treatments: control group (Con: 29 °C), high temperature group (HT: 31 °C), and the group of high temperature with QQ bacteria inoculation (HTQQ: 31 °C + QQ bacteria). The results showed that QQ bacteria SCSIO 43740 inoculation can significantly mitigate the loss of symbiotic algae and impairment of photosynthesis efficiency of coral P. damicornis under thermal stress. Significant difference in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities between HT and HTQQ was not observed. In addition, QQ bacteria inoculation suppressed the coral microbial community beta-dispersion and improved the stability of microbial co-occurrence network under thermal stress. It was suggested that QQ bacteria inoculation can alleviate coral thermal stress via reshaping microbial interaction and maintain community stability of coral microbiome. This study provided new evidence for the probiotic function of QQ bacteria in corals, which shedding light on the development of new microbiological tools for coral reef conservation.

Unlocking the genomic potential of Red Sea coral probiotics.

The application of beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMC) decreases the bleaching susceptibility and mortality rate of corals. BMC selection is typically performed via molecular and biochemical assays, followed by genomic screening for BMC traits. Herein, we present a comprehensive in silico framework to explore a set of six putative BMC strains. We extracted high-quality DNA from coral samples collected from the Red Sea and performed PacBio sequencing. We identified BMC traits and mechanisms associated with each strain as well as proposed new traits and mechanisms, such as chemotaxis and the presence of phages and bioactive secondary metabolites. The presence of prophages in two of the six studied BMC strains suggests their possible distribution within beneficial bacteria. We also detected various secondary metabolites, such as terpenes, ectoines, lanthipeptides, and lasso peptides. These metabolites possess antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities and play key roles in coral health by reducing the effects of heat stress, high salinity, reactive oxygen species, and radiation. Corals are currently facing unprecedented challenges, and our revised framework can help select more efficient BMC for use in studies on coral microbiome rehabilitation, coral resilience, and coral restoration.

Insight into farming native microbiome by bioinoculant in soil-plant system.

Applying beneficial microorganisms (BM) as bioinoculants presents a promising soil-amendment strategy while impacting the native microbiome, which jointly alters soil-plant performance. Leveraging the untapped potential of native microbiomes alongside bioinoculants may enable farmers to sustainably regulate soil-plant systems via natural bioresources. This review synthesizes literature on native microbiome responses to BMs and their interactive effects on soil and plant performance. We highlight that native microbiomes harbor both microbial "helpers" that can improve soil fertility and plant productivity, as well as "inhibitors" that hinder these benefits. To harness the full potential of resident microbiome, it is crucial to elucidate their intricate synergistic and antagonistic interplays with introduced BMs and clarify the conditions that facilitate durable BM-microbiome synergies. Hence, we indicate current challenges in predicting these complex microbial interactions and propose corresponding strategies for microbiome breeding via BM bioinoculant. Overall, fully realizing the potential of BMs requires clarifying their interactions with native soil microbiomes and judiciously engineering microbiome to harness helpful microbes already present within agroecosystems.

Rhizospheric microbiota of suppressive soil protect plants against Fusarium solani infection.

BACKGROUND: Fusarium infection has caused huge economic losses in many crops. The study aimed to compare the microbial community of suppressive and conducive soils and relate to the reduction of Fusarium wilt. RESULTS: High-throughput sequencing and microbial network analysis were used to investigate the differences in the rhizosphere microbiota of the suppressive and conducive soils and to identify the beneficial keystone taxa. Plant pathogens were enriched in the conducive soil. Potential plant-beneficial microorganisms and antagonistic microorganisms were enriched in the suppressive soil. More positive interactions and keystone taxa existed in the suppressive soil network. Thirty-nine and 16 keystone taxa were identified in the suppressive and conducive soil networks, respectively. Sixteen fungal strains and 168 bacterial strains were isolated from suppressive soil, some of which exhibited plant growth-promotion traits. Thirty-nine bacterial strains and 10 fungal strains showed antagonistic activity against F. solani. Keystone taxa Bacillus and Trichoderma exhibited high antifungal activity. Lipopeptides produced by Bacillus sp. RB150 and chitinase from Trichoderma spp. inhibited the growth of F. solani. Microbial consortium I (Bacillus sp. RB150, Pseudomonas sp. RB70 and Trichoderma asperellum RF10) and II (Bacillus sp. RB196, Bacillus sp. RB150 and T. asperellum RF10) effectively controlled root rot disease, the spore number of F. solani was reduced by 94.2% and 83.3%. CONCLUSION: Rhizospheric microbiota of suppressive soil protects plants against F. solani infection. Antagonistic microorganisms in suppressive soil inhibit pathogen growth and infection. Microbial consortia consisted of keystone taxa well control root rot disease. These findings help control Fusarium wilt. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Colonization of root endophytic fungus Serendipita indica improves drought tolerance of Pinus taeda seedlings by regulating metabolome and proteome.

Pinus taeda is an important forest tree species for plantations because of its rapid growth and high yield of oleoresins. Although P. taeda plantations distribute in warm and wet southern China, drought, sometime serious and long time, often occurs in the region. To explore drought tolerance of P. taeda and usage of beneficial microorganisms, P. taeda seedlings were planted in pots and were inoculated with root endophytic fungus Serendipita indica and finally were treated with drought stress for 53 d. Metabolome and proteome of their needles were analyzed. The results showed that S. indica inoculation of P. taeda seedlings under drought stress caused great changes in levels of some metabolites in their needles, especially some flavonoids and organic acids. Among them, the levels of eriocitrin, trans-aconitic acid, vitamin C, uric acid, alpha-ketoglutaric acid, vitamin A, stachydrine, coumalic acid, itaconic acid, calceolarioside B, 2-oxoglutaric acid, and citric acid were upregulated more than three times in inoculated seedlings under drought stress, compared to those of non-inoculated seedlings under drought stress. KEGG analysis showed that some pathways were enriched in inoculated seedlings under drought stress, such as flavonoid biosynthesis, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism. Proteome analysis revealed some specific differential proteins. Two proteins, namely, H9X056 and H9VDW5, only appeared in the needles of inoculated seedlings under drought stress. The protein H9VNE7 was upregulated more than 11.0 times as that of non-inoculated seedlings under drought stress. In addition, S. indica inoculation increased enrichment of water deficient-inducible proteins (such as LP3-1, LP3-2, LP3-3, and dehydrins) and those involved in ribosomal structures (such as A0A385JF23). Meanwhile, under drought stress, the inoculation caused great changes in biosynthesis and metabolism pathways, mainly including phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, and 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism. In addition, there were positive relationships between accumulation of some metabolites and enrichment of proteins in P. taeda under drought stress. Altogether, our results showed great changes in metabolome and proteome in inoculated seedlings under drought stress and provided a guideline to further study functions of metabolites and proteins, especially those related to drought stress.

Biopolymers as Seed-Coating Agent to Enhance Microbially Induced Tolerance of Barley to Phytopathogens.

Infections of agricultural crops caused by pathogen ic fungi are among the most widespread and harmful, as they not only reduce the quantity of the harvest but also significantly deteriorate its quality. This study aims to develop unique seed-coating formulations incorporating biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoate and pullulan) and beneficial microorganisms for plant protection against phytopathogens. A microbial association of biocompatible endophytic bacteria has been created, including Pseudomonas flavescens D5, Bacillus aerophilus A2, Serratia proteamaculans B5, and Pseudomonas putida D7. These strains exhibited agronomically valuable properties: synthesis of the phytohormone IAA (from 45.2 to 69.2 µg mL-1), antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani (growth inhibition zones from 1.8 to 3.0 cm), halotolerance (5-15% NaCl), and PHA production (2.77-4.54 g L-1). A pullulan synthesized by Aureobasidium pullulans C7 showed a low viscosity rate (from 395 Pa·s to 598 Pa·s) depending on the concentration of polysaccharide solutions. Therefore, at 8.0%, w/v concentration, viscosity virtually remained unchanged with increasing shear rate, indicating that it exhibits Newtonian flow behavior. The effectiveness of various antifungal seed coating formulations has been demonstrated to enhance the tolerance of barley plants to phytopathogens.

Analysis of the key aroma components of Pu'er tea by synergistic fermentation with three beneficial microorganisms.

Aroma is a key indicator of the quality and value of Pu'er tea. A total of 36 aroma components were detected,which Saccharomyces, Rhizopus, and Aspergillus niger, were in the ratios of 2:1:2, 2:2:2, and 2:3:2 inoculated to ferment Pu'er tea, comparing with natural fermentation. In addition, 12 key aroma compounds were identified by analysing ROAVs. Methoxyphenyl compounds and ß-ionone were the primary contributors to the formation of aged and woody aroma when fermenting Pu'er tea naturally or using Rhizopus, while linalool and its oxides, benzyl alcohol, hexanal, and limonene were the primary contributors to the formation of floral and fruity aroma when fermenting Pu'er tea using synergistic fermentation with Saccharomyces, Rhizopus, and Aspergillus niger. This study identified the key aroma components of the Pu'er tea fermented using five methods, which revealed and demonstrated the potential application of synergistic effects of different microorganisms in the changes of aroma of Pu'er tea.

Editorial: plant-microbial symbiosis toward sustainable food security.

The use of plant-associated microorganisms is increasingly being investigated as a key tool for mitigating the impact of biotic and abiotic threats to crops and facilitating migration to sustainable agricultural practices. The microbiome is responsible for several functions in agroecosystems, such as the transformation of organic matter, nutrient cycling, and plant/pathogen growth regulation. As climate change and global warming are altering the dynamics of plant-microbial interactions in the ecosystem, it has become essential to perform comprehensive studies to decipher current and future microbial interactions, as their useful symbiotic mechanisms could be better exploited to achieve sustainable agriculture. This will allow for the development of effective microbial inoculants that facilitate nutrient supply for the plant at its minimal energy expense, thus increasing its resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. This article collection aims to compile state-of-the-art research focused on the elucidation and optimization of symbiotic relationships between crops and their associated microbes. The information presented here will contribute to the development of next-generation microbial inoculants for achieving a more sustainable agriculture.

Can nanotechnology improve the application of bioherbicides?

Bioherbicides are composed of microorganisms or natural compounds and are used for weed control; however, they have specific weaknesses and constraints that hinder their development and success under field conditions. Nanotechnology can help to overcome these limitations by providing a good starting point for the design of specific formulations and carriers that minimize the deficiencies of natural compounds and microorganisms, such as low solubility, short shelf life or a loss of viability. In addition, nanoformulations can help to improve the efficacy of bioherbicides by increasing their effectiveness and bioavailability, reducing the amount required for a treatment, and enhancing their ability to target specific weeds while preserving the crop. However, it is important to choose the right materials and nanodevices depending on specific needs and considering several factors inherent to nanomaterials such as production cost, safety or possible toxic effects. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Applications of Probiotic Constituents in Cosmetics.

Over the past few decades, research on the benefits of beneficial microorganisms on skin health has expanded and attracted a lot of attention. Today, a wide range of probiotic products are becoming available. With their extensive component profiles and varied physiological effects, probiotics, as well as extracts of them, have a significant impact on cosmetics. However, the present boom in consumer interest in alternatives has broadened the probiotic industry's research and development frontiers. Considering the foregoing, it should come as no surprise that probiotics are highly valued for their proven anti-aging, skin whitening, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective effects. This review aims to compile information on probiotics' properties, their extracts, and preparations used in cosmetics. It also further summarizes research and applications on probiotic fermentation to promote the use of probiotic fermentation products in cosmetics. Notably, this review also adds information on particular properties and mechanisms of action of probiotics, which fills a gap in the research and application of probiotics in skin treatment and care. Their antioxidant and anti-aging qualities have received particular consideration. This review provides a new basis for the broad application of probiotics in cosmetics.

Biofortification of Broccoli Microgreens (Brassica oleracea var. italica) with Glucosinolates, Zinc, and Iron through the Combined Application of Bio- and Nanofertilizers.

There is a severe need to develop a sustainable, affordable, and nutritious food supply system. Broccoli microgreens have attracted attention due to their rich nutritional content and abundant bioactive compounds, constituting an important opportunity to feed the ever-increasing population and fight global health problems. This study aimed to measure the impact of the combined application of biofertilizers and zinc and iron nanofertilizers on plant growth and the biofortification of glucosinolates (GLSs) and micronutrients in broccoli microgreens. Biofertilizers were based on plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacterial consortia previously isolated and characterized for multiple PGP traits. Nanofertilizers consisted of ZnO (77 nm) and γ-Fe2O3 (68 nm) nanoparticles synthesized with the coprecipitation method and functionalized with a Pseudomonas species preparation. Treatments were evaluated under seedbed conditions. Plant growth parameters of plant height (37.0-59.8%), leaf diameter (57.6-81.1%) and fresh weight (112.1-178.0%), as well as zinc (122.19-363.41%) and iron contents (55.19-161.57%), were mainly increased by nanoparticles subjected to the functionalization process with Pseudomonas species and uncapped NPs applied together with the biofertilizer treatment. Regarding GLSs, eight compounds were detected as being most positively influenced by these treatments. This work demonstrated the synergistic interactions of applying ZnO and γ-Fe2O3 nanofertilizers combined with biofertilizers to enhance plant growth and biofortify micronutrients and glucosinolates in broccoli microgreens.

Non-digestible oligosaccharides-based prebiotics to ameliorate obesity: Overview of experimental evidence and future perspectives.

The diverse populations reportedly suffer from obesity on a global scale, and inconclusive evidence has indicated that both environmental and genetic factors are associated with obesity development. Therefore, a need exists to examine potential therapeutic or prophylactic molecules for obesity treatment. Prebiotics with non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) have the potential to treat obesity. A limited number of prebiotic NDOs have demonstrated their ability as a convincing therapeutic solution to encounter obesity through various mechanisms, viz., stimulating beneficial microorganisms, reducing the population of pathogenic microorganisms, and also improving lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. NDOs include pectic-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, xylo-oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides, manno-oligosaccharides and other oligosaccharides which significantly influence the overall human health by different mechanisms. This review provides the treatment of obesity benefits by incorporating these prebiotic NDOs, according to established scientific research, which shows their good effects extend beyond the colon.

Identification and Characterization of Beneficial Soil Microbial Strains for the Formulation of Biofertilizers Based on Native Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms Isolated from Northern Mexico.

Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) benefit plant health by enhancing plant nutrient-use efficiency and protecting plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to isolate and characterize autochthonous PGPM from important agri-food crops and nonagricultural plants to formulate biofertilizers. Native microorganisms were isolated and evaluated for PGP traits (K, P, and Zn solubilization, N2-fixation, NH3-, IAA and siderophore production, and antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum). Isolates were tested on radish and broccoli seedlings, evaluating 19 individual isolates and 12 microbial consortia. Potential bacteria were identified through DNA sequencing. In total, 798 bacteria and 209 fungi were isolated. Isolates showed higher mineral solubilization activity than other mechanisms; 399 bacteria and 156 fungi presented mineral solubilization. Bacteria were relevant for nitrogen fixation, siderophore, IAA (29-176 mg/L), and ammonia production, while fungi for Fusarium growth inhibition (40-69%). Twenty-four bacteria and eighteen fungi were selected for their PGP traits. Bacteria had significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.05) better effects on plants than fungi; treatments improved plant height (23.06-51.32%), leaf diameter (25.43-82.91%), and fresh weight (54.18-85.45%) in both crops. Most potential species belonged to Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Serratia, and Rahnella genera. This work validated a high-throughput approach to screening hundreds of rhizospheric microorganisms with PGP potential isolated from rhizospheric samples.