Advancing climate-resilient rhizomicrobiome engineering for enhancing productivity and sustainability of strategic crop farming in Indonesia's problematic soils

Abstract

Indonesia's agricultural soils face severe degradation characterized by low organic carbon, high acidity, and nutrient deficiencies, limiting crop productivity. In 2022, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported approximately 4.04 million hectares of such degraded land. Climate change further accelerates degradation by intensifying drought and heat stress, which deplete soil organic matter and essential nutrients critical for fertility and food security. This article reviews recent advances in climate-resilient rhizomicrobiome engineering (CRRE) to address these challenges, with a focus on sustainable rice farming. Through bibliometric analysis and the PRISMA framework, it synthesizes current evidence and identifies key research gaps. CRRE involves manipulating root-associated microbial communities to improve nutrient cycling, suppress pathogens, and enhance plant resilience to stress. Techniques include the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) like Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, which solubilize nutrients and boost plant immunity, as well as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that improve water and nutrient uptake under stress. Field trials show that these strategies improve drought tolerance and boost crop performance while also enhancing microbial biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving water availability. Successful implementation depends on interdisciplinary collaboration across microbiology, soil science, and agronomy, supported by coordinated efforts among institutions, extension services, and policymakers. However, adoption remains limited due to regulatory inconsistencies, low farmer awareness, and research gaps. Scaling up CRRE in Indonesia will require integrated policy support, education, and research to promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen food security under climate change.