Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria

The global population is nearing 8 billion and continues to grow, putting immense pressure on the world’s food supply. Nearly 1 billion people are malnourished, contributing to 3 million child deaths annually. To meet the food demands of this growing population, we must find sustainable solutions. However, environmental pollution—air, water, and soil—further complicates crop production.

There is no single solution, but several steps can help increase the global food supply: First, reduce environmental pollution to preserve farmland. Second, improve food distribution to minimize spoilage and waste. Third, in wealthier countries, reduce restaurant portion sizes and overconsumption of meat, which uses more resources than plant-based proteins. Fourth, enhance agricultural productivity on marginal land. Fifth, promote the use of transgenic plants with higher yields, better nutrition, and greater pest resistance. Finally, reduce reliance on agricultural chemicals and support the use of natural plant growth-promoting bacteria.