Mineral Solubilizing Microorganisms (MSM) and Their Applications in Nutrient Bioavailability, Bioweathering and Bioremediation, Vol III

Minerals solubilization results from the dissolution of rocks and mineral substrates by microbial, mechanical, and chemical processes. The application of microorganisms in biomining is a biotechnological approach that involves extracting and recovering metals from ores. Microorganisms interact with minerals to colonize and exploit habitats and demonstrate the capacity to scavenge critical elements with low bioavailability, such as iron and phosphorus. There is an ongoing need to improve soil fertility and crop production, particularly in dry places, to remediate toxic soils and clean stone artworks and structures. A complete understanding of microorganisms-mediated mineral weathering processes may provide a significant opportunity for researchers to develop novel solutions to overcome challenges in agriculture, the environment, and industry.


Soil microbes play an essential role in the environment by releasing critical nutrients from primary minerals required for their nutrition and plant growth and development. They are also involved in element biotransformation and biogeochemical cycling, decomposition, weathering, and soil and sediment formation. Although the role of fungi in mineral weathering is beginning to be elucidated, the relative impact of bacteria in this process and the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. The capability of microorganisms to convert insoluble forms of mineral nutrients into absorbable forms makes them a very effective strategy in mineral-deficient soils. The phenomenon of making minerals available in soils through microorganisms is mineral solubilization. The principal mechanism for mineral solubilization could be the production of mineral-dissolving compounds such as organic and inorganic acids, siderophores, protons from ammonia assimilation, hydrogen sulfide, phytase, and phosphatases. These mineral solubilizing bioagents solubilize the fixed form of minerals into the available form and play an essential role in enhancing crop productivity. The current Research Topic will provide brief knowledge of several mineral-solubilizing microorganisms, particularly emphasizing their role in improving plant productivity. Apart from mineral solubilization, it will also cover the issues of weathering and bioremediation.


Areas to be covered in this collection may include, but are not limited to:

• Mineral-microbe interactions
• Plant-microbe interactions
• Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Potassium Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Zinc Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Iron Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Selenium Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Manganese Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Silicate Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Minerals Weathering Microorganisms
• Bioremediation
• Bioleaching
• Biomining
• Metal recovery