TY  - EJOU
AU  - Zhao, Yumeng 
AU  - Tao, Jun 
AU  - Tang, Yuhan 

TI  - PGPR and PGPF in Horticultural Systems: Physiological Functions, Synergistic Mechanisms, and Precision Microbiome Management
T2  - Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany

PY  - 
VL  - 
IS  - 
SN  - 1851-5657

AB  - This review focuses on the synergistic roles of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) in horticultural systems, highlighting their mechanisms from physiological functions to molecular regulation and community-level synergy. PGPR and PGPF enhance nutrient acquisition, modulate phytohormones, induce systemic resistance, and alleviate abiotic stresses through complementary pathways. At the molecular level, microbial signals trigger downstream signaling cascades, leading to transcriptional reprogramming and epigenetic priming for long-lasting stress memory. The coexistence of PGPR and PGPF can generate synergistic benefits that may outperform single strains under suitable host, microbial, and environmental conditions; however, challenges remain in strain antagonism, host genotype specificity, environmental dependence, formulation instability, and regulatory hurdles. This review provides a conceptual roadmap for precision microbiome management, shifting from empirical application toward predictive, mechanism-guided consortium design. Finally, leveraging advanced technologies (multi-omics, synthetic biology, and AI-driven modeling) together with the synergistic actions of PGPR and PGPF offers directions for achieving sustainable and climate-resilient horticulture.
KW  - PGPR; PGPF; horticultural systems; synergistic interactions; molecular regulatory networks

DO  - 10.32604/phyton.2026.087467