Rare actinomycetes: a hidden reservoir for agricultural biotechnology

Actinobacteria are key soil microorganisms that support sustainable agriculture through organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and plant growth promotion. They produce phytohormones, siderophores, and diverse metabolites that enhance plant resilience and reduce reliance on agrochemicals. While research has largely focused on Streptomyces, this review highlights the potential of rare genera such as Actinomadura and Micromonospora as sources of novel bioactive compounds. It also integrates recent advances in multi-omics and genome mining, while addressing challenges in field application, formulation, and scalability, and discusses strategies to improve their practical use in agriculture.