Chemical inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals) are heavily used in current agricultural and horticultural practices, which, all things being equal, have a negative impact on the nutritional value of farm products as well as the health of farm workers and consumers. Soil microbes are the most common biota in soil, and they are important for nutrient and organic matter cycling, soil fertility, soil restoration, plant health, and ecosystem primary production. Beneficial microorganisms include those that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots (rhizobia, mycorrhizal fungi, actinobacteria, diazotrophic bacteria), increase nutrient mineralization and availability, produce plant growth hormones, and fight plant pests, parasites, and illnesses (biocontrol agents). Many of these species are already present in the soil, but in some cases, increasing their populations through inoculation or other agricultural management approaches that boost their abundance and activity may be helpful. Microbial inoculants are beneficial microorganisms that are introduced to the soil or the plant to enhance the productivity and crop health. This special issue aims to find out Beneficial Plant Growth Promotion Microbes, their rhizospheric interaction, formulation, and application in Agriculture and Horticulture sectors for controlling plant diseases and enhancing crop yield.

Topics include but are not limited to:

(1) Beneficial Plant Growth Promotion Microbes and Crop Production

(2) Plant-Microbe Rhizosphere Interactions

(3) Microbial Interactions and Biocontrol Activity

(4) Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Soil

(5) Soil Fertility Management

(6) Microbial Formulation, Field Exploitation, and Application Level in Agriculture and Horticulture Sector