Prospect of pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs in mitigating abiotic stress and climate change

Apparently, climate change is observed in form of increased greenhouse gases (CH₄ , CO₂ , N₂ O, CFC), temperature (0.5-1°C), and UV radiations (UV B and UV C). It is affecting every aspect of ecosystem functioning; however, terrestrial crops are the most vulnerable group and crop productivity largely remains a challenge. Due to climate change, seed yield and nutrient depletion are inevitable in future scenarios. To overcome this problem microbial groups that exhibit plant growth promoting attributes and provide protection against environmental stress should be studied. One such group is the pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFMs) that can induce overall fitness to plants. PPFMs are involved in phosphorous mineralization, siderophore, ACC deaminase, phytohormone production, and assimilation of greenhouse gases. Additionally, these organisms can also resist harmful UV radiations effectively as they possess polyketide synthases that could serve as source of novel bioactives that can protect plant from abiotic stress. The review article comprehensively highlights the multifunctional traits of PPFMs and their role in mitigating climate change with an aim to use this important organism as microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture under climate-changing scenarios.