Open Access

REVIEW

Strengthening Tomato Resilience: Harnessing Microbial Consortia to Overcome Biotic and Abiotic Stress

Oumaima Benaissa^1,2,3, Mohammed Taoussi^1,4, Ikram Legrifi^1,2, Zineb Belabess³, Abderrahim Lazraq², Rachid Lahlali^1,*

1 Phytopathology Unit, Department of Plant Protection, Ecole Nationale d’Agriculture de Meknès, Meknès, 50000, Morocco
2 Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, 30000, Morocco
3 Plant Protection Laboratory, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Meknes, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Meknès, 50000, Morocco
4 Environment and Valorization of Microbial and Plant Resources Unit, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Zitoune, Meknès, 50000, Morocco

* Corresponding Author: Rachid Lahlali. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plants Abiotic and Biotic Stresses: from Characterization to Development of Sustainable Control Strategies)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2025, 94(5), 1453-1495. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2025.064598

Received 19 February 2025; Accepted 29 April 2025; Issue published 29 May 2025

Abstract

Tomato cultivation faces formidable challenges from both biotic and abiotic stressors, necessitating innovative and sustainable strategies to ensure crop resilience and yield stability. This comprehensive review delves into the evolving landscape of employing microbial consortia as a dynamic tool for the integrated management of biotic and abiotic stresses in tomato plants. The microbial consortium, comprising an intricate network of bacteria, fungi, and other beneficial microorganisms, plays a pivotal role in promoting plant health and bolstering defense mechanisms. Against biotic stressors, the consortium exhibits multifaceted actions, including the suppression of pathogenic organisms through antagonistic interactions and the induction of systemic resistance in tomato plants. On the abiotic front, the microbial consortium enhances nutrient availability, optimizes water retention, and ameliorates soil structure, thus mitigating the adverse effects of factors such as drought, salinity, and nutrient imbalances. This review synthesizes current research findings, highlighting the diverse mechanisms through which microbial consortia positively influence the physiological and molecular responses of tomato plants to stress. Furthermore, it explores the adaptability of microbial consortia to various agroecosystems, offering a versatile and sustainable approach to stress management. As a promising avenue for eco-friendly agriculture, the utilization of microbial consortia in tomato cultivation emerges not only as a tool for stress mitigation but also as a transformative strategy to foster long-term sustainability, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, and enhance overall crop productivity in the face of changing environmental conditions.

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Keywords

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