BIOFILMED BIOFERTILIZERS AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVING SOIL FERTILITY AND CROP RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Biofilmed biofertilizers (BBFs) offer a sustainable solution to enhance soil fertility and crop resilience under climate change. This review systematically evaluates peer-reviewed studies (2010-2024) on BBF performance, mechanisms, and scalability. Findings demonstrate BBFs' superior efficacy over conventional biofertilizers, with 20-40% greater nutrient efficiency and 30-50% improved stress tolerance, attributed to their protective biofilm matrix that sustains microbial activity and nutrient release. However, efficacy varies across climates, showing reduced performance in extreme temperatures (>35°C) and high UV conditions. Key adoption barriers include higher production costs (20-30%), limited farmer awareness, and inadequate policy support. Emerging technologies like nano-formulations and CRISPR-engineered strains show promise for improving BBF resilience and affordability. Future research should focus on developing climate-adaptive formulations, establishing quality standards, and conducting long-term ecological assessments. Policy reforms must rebalance agricultural subsidies and strengthen extension services to promote BBF adoption. Successful implementation requires coordinated efforts among researchers, policymakers, and farmers to address technical and socioeconomic challenges. When optimized, BBFs can significantly contribute to climate-smart agriculture by simultaneously improving productivity and soil health. This review provides critical insights for advancing BBFs as a transformative tool for sustainable food systems.