Metabolic reprogramming in PGPR reveals cross-feeding-driven physiological shifts and metabolic adaptations

This study demonstrates that metabolite cross-feeding induces distinct metabolic reprogramming between <i>Priestia megaterium</i> and <i>Bacillus licheniformis</i>, underpinning adaptive interactions in nutrient-limited environments. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for microbial consortia design and biofertilizer optimization. Future multi-omics and systems-level investigations should elucidate the genetic and regulatory determinants of these metabolic exchanges, advancing sustainable biotechnological innovations aligned with SDGs 9, 12, and 13.