Integrative Strategies for Plant Growth Promotion and Stress Mitigation in Agricultural Systems

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural production is increasingly challenged by a combination of biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, nutrient deficiency, pathogens, and climate variability. Integrative strategies that combine biological, molecular, and agronomic approaches have emerged as effective solutions for enhancing plant growth and mitigating stress in agricultural systems. This study reviews the role of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM), biofertilizers, biostimulants, and advanced molecular tools in improving crop resilience and productivity. Beneficial microbes such as rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi enhance nutrient uptake, modulate phytohormone levels, and induce systemic resistance against pathogens. In addition, the integration of omics technologies—genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics provides insights into stress-responsive pathways and facilitates the development of stress-tolerant crop varieties.