Zinc-solubilizing bacteria: Harnessing microbial potential for enhanced soil health, crop productivity and sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Zinc is vital for plant functions such as, protein synthesis, enzyme activation and stress tolerance, yet nearly 50% of the world’s arable lands are zinc-deficient. This limitation reduces crop productivity and affects human nutrition especially in areas dependents on plant-based diets. Zinc solubilizing bacteria (ZnSB) offer an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers by converting insoluble zinc into bioavailable forms through organic acid secretion, chelation and siderophore production. These beneficial microbes also strengthen soil health by enhancing microbial diversity, soil structure, nutrient cycling and enzymatic activity. Field studies consistently shows that ZnSB inoculation improves crop growth, yield and grain zinc content while lowering dependence on chemical fertilizers. Although challenges such as storage stability, field variability and regulatory barriers remain. ZnSB based biofertilizers hold strong potential for sustainable nutrient management. Advancing formulation techniques, developing more resilient strains and integrating ZnSB with precision agriculture will further enhance their effectiveness. Overall, ZnSB represent a promising, eco-friendly approach to improving soil fertility boosting crop productivity and strengthening global food and nutritional security.