From lab bench to farmers' fields: co-creating microbial inoculants with farmers input

Microbial inoculants are critical tools for improving soil health and crop growth within sustainable agriculture frameworks. Despite numerous microorganisms being identified as potential candidates, their transition from laboratory efficacy to field application remains constrained by the complex and variable conditions of field environments. This review critically examines the current state of microbial inoculant research, pinpointing key challenges such as the lack of diversity in test environments and the insufficient integration of agronomic practices crucial for practical adoption. We propose the farmer Pparticipatory research (FPR) model as a robust methodology to address these challenges, emphasizing the co-creation of knowledge between researchers and farmers. This approach uses the practical insights of farmers and integrates multidisciplinary scientific advances to ensure that the development of microbial inoculants is scientifically sound and practically viable in diverse agricultural settings. By adopting FPR principles, this review offers a detailed roadmap for future research, emphasizing the importance of farmer-centric approach in integrating advanced technologies like amplicon sequencing, machine learning, synthetic biology, and systems carriers in optimizing microbial inoculant performance. This paradigm shift towards a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach is poised to significantly improve the efficacy of field trials and establish robust agronomic management strategies for microbial inoculants application, ultimately advancing microbial inoculant research.