Abstract
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important food crops worldwide but its cultivation is affected by numerous challenges including pests, diseases and high fertiliser requirements which have associated environmental problems. The exploitation of plant rhizospheres and their associated rhizobacterial interactions has gathered momentum worldwide in search of environmentally-friendly approaches to crop cultivation. A lot of literature exists on rhizobacterial associations and their biofertilisation or bioprotection roles in many plants. However, very scanty information is available on rhizobacterial functions and communities of the potato, an indication that they are still understudied. In this regard, more research is needed to understand and exploit them for the successful application of rhizobacteria-based technology in potato cropping. This review updates our knowledge of the beneficial rhizobacteria of the potato and documents their roles in its bioprotection, phytostimulation and biofertilisation while highlighting their potential in enhancing its production and productivity. The future prospects regarding the research on these important potato microflora are further discussed as a guide and a baseline for future research on them. This review shows that rhizobacteria-based technology is a viable option for potato biofertilisation and bioprotection and could be the missing link in its sustainable cropping. The adoption and full exploitation of this technology can be fast-tracked if we increase our understanding of the subject matter.
