Ríos Ruiz, Winston FranzJave Concepción, Henry GiovaniTorres Chávez, Edson EsmithRíos Reategui, FranzPadilla Santa Cruz, EulerGuevara Pinedo, Nelson Elías2025-03-242025-03-242025-01-09Ríos-Ruiz, W.F.; Jave-Concepción, H.G.; Torres-Chávez, E.E.; Rios-Reategui, F.; Padilla-Santa-Cruz, E.; Guevara-Pinedo, N.E. Plant-Growth-Promoting Microorganisms: Their Impact on Crop Quality and Yield, with a Focus on Rice. Int. J. Plant Biol. 2025, 16, 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb16010009http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12955/2674This article presents a systematic review of the ecophysiological mechanisms underpinning the essential role of plant-growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) in improving rice yield and quality. The scientific literature is thoroughly reviewed, highlighting how PGPMs positively influence the growth, development, and health of rice plants. Key aspects, such as nitrogen fixation, nutrient solubilization, hormone production, and disease resistance induction, are emphasized. Additionally, technological advancements related to PGPM use are analyzed, including the identification of effective strains, the formulation of enhanced biofertilizers, and genetic engineering. The article concludes that PGPMs represent a promising tool with which to boost the sustainability and productivity of rice cultivation, providing a robust foundation for future research and practical applications in a field crucial to global food security.1. Introduction 2. Materials and Methods 3. Plant-Growth-Promoting Microorganisms (PGPM) 3.1. Definition and Classification of PGPMs 3.2. Main PGPMs Used in Rice Crops 4. Ecophysiological Mechanisms of PGPMs in Rice 4.1. Nitrogen Fixation: Diazotrophic Bacteria and Their Role in Biological Nitrogen Fixation 4.2. Phosphate Solubilization: Mechanisms of Solubilization and Phosphorus Availability for Plants 4.3. Solubilization of Other Elements Such as Potassium, Zinc, and Iron 4.4. Production of Phytohormones: Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, and Their Impact on Plant Growth 4.4.1. Auxins 4.4.2. Gibberellins 4.4.3. Cytokinins 4.5. Production of Siderophores 4.6. Biocontrol of Pathogens 4.7. Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Resistance to Drought, Salinity, and Other Adverse Conditions 5. Genetic Engineering of PGPMs of Importance for Rice Cultivation 6. Impact of PGPMs on Rice Quality 7. Impact of PGPMs on Rice Yield 8. Agronomic and Environmental Considerations 9. PGPM Products Available for Use in Various Crops, Including Rice 10. Challenges and Future Perspectives 11. Conclusions Referencesapplication/pdfenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Plant-growth-promoting microorganismsRice qualityRice yieldEcophysiological mechanisms in riceBiofertilizersRhizobacteriaSustainable agricultural productioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/articlehttps://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#4.01.0110.3390/ijpb16010009microorganismos promotores del crecimiento de las plantas | calidad del arroz | rendimiento del arroz | mecanismos ecofisiológicos | biofertilizantes | rizobacterias | producción agrícola sostenible