Rhizobacteria Exopolysaccharide: A Boon in Reclaiming Soil Fertility, Augmenting Plant Growth and Plant Stress Resilience

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) serve multiple industrial and environmental purposes operating as complex biopolymers produced by bacteria and fungus, as well as by yeast and microalgae. The structural diversity of microbial EPS enables the biofilm formation, the stress resistance and the nutrient storage, comprising homopolysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides. Soil structure receives substantial improvement through EPS because the polymers help aggregate particles, retaining more water and trapping heavy metals, that results in enhanced soil fertility useful in sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, through the presence of EPS-producing bacteria, plants can establish beneficial connections with microorganisms that improve their tolerance to environmental factors, including salt exposure, drought conditions and extreme temperature changes. Such polymers find applications in the bioremediation and pharmaceutical fields because they present significant pharmacological properties, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory activities and antioxidant behaviour. Their biodegradable nature and eco-friendly properties make it eligible as a sustainable choice to replace synthetic polymers. This paper broaches the multiple ways how EPS improves plant wellness and enhances soil quality. Potential solutions emerge from microbial EPS research to address global challenges in agricultural sectors, biotechnological fields, and environmental management domains.