Characteristics of symbiotic relationships between plants and bacteria and the influence of stress factors on them
Paper Details
Characteristics of symbiotic relationships between plants and bacteria and the influence of stress factors on them
Abstract
Symbiotic relationships between plants and bacteria play a fundamental role in ecosystem functioning and sustainable agriculture. Based on extensive literature analysis, this review examines the formation, development, and functioning of plant–bacterial symbioses, with particular emphasis on nitrogen-fixing interactions between legumes and rhizobia. The symbiotic process is described as a complex, multi-stage system regulated by coordinated molecular, physiological, and genetic mechanisms of both partners. Special attention is given to the influence of abiotic and biotic stress factors—such as temperature extremes, drought, heavy metals, and nutrient imbalance—on the establishment and efficiency of symbiosis. While higher plants are generally more sensitive to stress conditions, beneficial microorganisms can mitigate negative effects by enhancing nutrient uptake, physiological stability, and stress tolerance. The review highlights that stress factors often reduce symbiotic efficiency, but targeted use of plant-associated microorganisms offers promising strategies to improve crop productivity and ecological sustainability. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing environmentally friendly agricultural practices and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.
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Konul F. Bakhshaliyeva, Navai D. İmamquliyev, Mehpara İ. Gasımova, Sevda M. Muradova, Panah Z. Muradov*, 2026. Characteristics of symbiotic relationships between plants and bacteria and the influence of stress factors on them. Int. J. Biosci., 28(2), 75-90.
Copyright © 2026 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.