Frontiers in Rhizoengineering: Genomics, Metabolomics and Beyond (Microorganisms for Sustainability, 65)

This book explores the areas of microbial ecology and agricultural biotechnology brought about by third-generation sequencing technologies and multi-omics platforms. It focuses on the sequencing of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) genomes, metagenomic studies of the rhizosphere and metabolomics profiling of bioactive secondary metabolites, all of which have enabled the development of rhizomicrobiome engineering as a powerful tool for enhancing crop productivity and resilience. The chapters cover topics such as the development of climate-smart bioinocula, the role of host genotype in microbial inoculant efficacy, and the integration of omics data in strain selection. The book critically assesses the challenges and successes in developing microbial solutions that confer tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Concepts such as biodegradable inorganic biostimulants and synthetic biology applications are explored, offering a perspective on modernizing traditional biofertilizer design strategies. Through comparative analysis, the book rationalizes investment and guides policy by highlighting the advantages of contemporary microbial tools over conventional methods.

This volume is part of the book series Microorganisms for Sustainability and serves as a vital resource for scientists, industry stakeholders, and policymakers involved in rhizosphere microbiology, PGPR biology and microbial biotechnology. It helps the researchers, academics, and professionals in the field to understand the latest advancements and their practical implications in agricultural biotechnology.

Dr. Samina Mehnaz is a professor at the Kauser Abdulla Malik School of Life Sciences, Forman Christian College (FCCU) since September 2012. She is a microbiologist with expertise dating back to 1991. Her primary research interests include bio-formulations, microbial metabolites, bioplastics, and plastic degradation. Her scholarly contributions include more than 87 research papers and 13 book chapters. Additionally, she is the editor of two books published by Springer and currently serves on the editorial boards of three international journals. She has also served as the Humboldt Ambassador Scientist for Pakistan, a representative of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany from 2016 to 2021. In October 2022, she was appointed Vice President of the Pakistan Regional Branch of the Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB).

Dr. Izzah Shahid is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the Public University of Navarra, Spain, with a research focus on rhizosphere microbiology, microbial metabolites, and sustainable agriculture. She holds a PhD in biotechnology from Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore, where her work emphasized the identification and characterization of biocontrol-active secondary metabolites from plant-associated rhizobacteria. She has previously served as an assistant professor at the University of Central Punjab and has held international research fellowship in Canada. Additionally, she has led several nationally and internationally funded projects related to synthetic microbial communities, biofertilizers, and antifungal screening. Dr. Shahid's publication record spans high-impact journals, book chapters, and editorial contributions in microbiome science.