Molecular mechanisms underlying cyanobacterial plasticity: emerging tools in agricultural sustainability

The potential application of cyanobacteria among multifaceted approaches to attain sustainable agriculture is becoming remarkable due to unique attributes such as ubiquity, diversity, structural simplicity, metabolic flexibility, and plasticity of the organism. Plasticity, which is the ability to respond and adapt to changes in environmental conditions, is a peculiar feature of cyanobacteria notable in sustainable agricultural practices such as biofertilization, plant growth promotion, and plant protection. Cyanobacteria often fix and convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms that are readily available for plant uptake through a cellular process that involves the differentiation of specialized cells called heterocysts in response to limited nitrogen. The development and functioning of heterocysts are dependent on precise regulatory networks and signal transduction pathways. Meanwhile, cyanobacterial responses to environmental stresses, such as nutrient deprivation, high salinity, and extreme temperature, are orchestrated by intricate molecular cascades involving signal transduction, regulation of gene expression, and stress perception. Furthermore, the biosynthesis of compounds such as allelochemicals, growth-promoting agents, and antimicrobials, is governed by interconnected metabolic pathways whose regulation is affected by environmental and genetic factors. Hence, an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in cyanobacterial plasticity by scientists would lead to optimized nitrogen fixation in agricultural systems, reduced environmental pollution, and low dependence on synthetic fertilizer, along with improved stress tolerance in crops. This chapter, therefore, aims to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the plasticity of cyanobacteria which is important in the development of eco-friendly and innovative practices for agricultural sustainability and food security.