[A] IN THE AREA OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA (PGPR)

We identified PGPR in a shorter number of days as compared to several months of field trials increased the agronomic characteristics of plants, e.g., maize (Alori et al., 2019 The Open Agric. J.). PGPR are valuable tools that could be used to develop bio-inoculants to enhance phytoextraction efficiency (see Fashola et al., 2015; 2016, Int. J. Environ Res and Pub Health and Ojuederie et al., 2019, Agronomy). Bacterial consortia for improved maize (Zea mays L.) production are reliable alternatives to chemical fertilizers. They have the immense beneficial potential for plant growth and sustainable agricultural productivity {See Olanrewaju and Babalola  (2019 Microorganisms), Omomowo & Babalola (2019 Microorganisms), Alawiye and Babalola (2019 Diversity), Babalola et al. (2019 Microbiol. Resource Announ. 8) and Olanrewaju & Babalola (2019 Applied Microbiol. & Biotechnol.)}.

The genotypic and phenotypic diversity of culturable rhizobacteria from field-grown crops in Mahikeng, South Africa. (Kodisang et al., 2013, J. Food Agric. Environ) broadens understanding of bacteria community composition in terms of commonality and peculiarity in Mahikeng locality and indicates possible isolates for use as indigenous biofertilizers. Over the years, Bacillus was the dominant genus found in the soil samples because of its ability to produce endospores that can withstand extreme conditions, making the genus handle the stress of the change in conditions. A further inquisition into the Bv metabolome using newer technologies such as metabolomics could elucidate additional applications of this economically relevant Bacillus species {Adeniji et al.,  (2019, Appl. Microbiol. & Biotechnol)}, 
Plant-associated microbes with particular reference to indigenous African agriculture (Babalola & Glick 2012 J. Food Agric. Environ.) and the use of microbial inoculants {Olanrewaju, et al.,  (2017, World J. Microbiol. & Biotechnol), Igiehon & Babalola  (2017, Appl Microbiol & Biotechnol), Alori ET, Dare M.O. & Babalola  (2017, Chapter 9, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-48006-0), Ajilogba et al., (2017, Chapter 14, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6241-4_14)} were documented. When experimented with chickpea (Ahmad et al., 2012, J. Pure Appl. Microbiol; Tak et al., 2013 Soil Sci. & Plant Nutr.) wastewater irrigation and its effect on growth, photosynthesis, and yield of chickpea under different doses of potassium were significantly different (Babalola et al., 2013 Soil Sci. & Plant Nutr.) besides, some Babalola's articles have also been published with regards to the implication of biotechnology in agriculture. For an example, the bacterial community profiling in the rhizosphere of field-grown genetically modified (GM) and non-GM maize (Bumunang & Babalola 2014, Braz. Arch. Biol. Techno; Bumunang, Babalola & Barros 2013, J. Pure Appl. Microbiol; Bumunang, Jordaan, Barros, Bezuidenhout, Babalola 2015, J. Agric. Technol). 
Several Actinomycetes work on the phylogenetic analysis of actinobacterial populations associated with native Mahikeng soils in South Africa (Adegboye et al., 2012 J. Pure Appl. Microbiol.) and other rhizospheric soils (Adegboye & Babalola 2013 Mol. Biol.. IS1:001. doi:10.4172/2168-9547.S1-001; Adegboye & Babalola 2013 Asian Life Sci) expand our knowledge on microbial survival irrespective of the prevailing environmental conditions. In another study, Masowa et al., (2018 Research on Crops) showed compost extracts with varying degrees of phyto-toxicities to maize and tomato, while cowpea experienced no phytotoxicity effect. We established that the composts also showed phyto-nutrient and phytostimulant capabilities with greater than 100% root length and GI values. Nonetheless, the phytotoxicity recorded in maize and tomato can be eliminated using lower application rates. Investigating microbial communities in plant rhizosphere is complex. Therefore, omic studies of microorganisms that inhabit the rhizosphere are important since this is where most plant-microbial interactions occur. Igiehon & Babalola  (2018, The Open Microbiol. J.) and Enebe & Babalola (2018, Appl. Microbiol. & Biotechnol.) highlight the current omic techniques. Sustainable bioeconomy should involve a highly developed understanding of genetic materials and cellular reactions to redesign and produce novel methodologies and products. (Uzoh & Babalola  2018, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment). 

[B] IN THE AREA OF PLANT PROTECTION 

The application of mass spectrometry as a rapid detection tool in plant nematology (Ahmad & Babalola 2013 Applied Spectroscopy Reviews) was documented. Integrated management strategies for tomato Fusarium wilt (Ajilogba & Babalola, 2013, Biocontrol Sci.) caused by the fungal pathogens, F. oxysporum or F. solani is a devastating disease that affects many important food and vegetable crops and a major source of loss to farmers worldwide. Babalola (2014 Biotechnol. Gent. Engr. Rev.) interrogated if nature provides backups in modifying soil bacterial community structures? It further showed that the changes were observed due to forces and process interactions between released bacteria and indigenous microflora, which encompass soil bacterial diversity, community structure, indigenous endorhizosphere microorganisms, molecular detection methodologies, and transgenic plants and microbes, are mainly transient. Studies on the variations in infectivity of indigenous rhizobial isolates of some soils (Ojo et al., 2014 Arch. Agron. Soil Science) suggested the cultivation of grain legumes may require rhizobial inoculation for high productivity. Also examined were the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and antibacterial activity of extracted Bluish-Green pigment from Pseudomonas sp. JJTBVK (KF836502) isolated from desert soil (Verma et al., 2015 Brazilian Arch. Biol. Technol.). MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was exampled as a rapid detection technique in plant pathology for the identification of plant-associated (Ahmad et al., 2012 Anal. Bioanal. Chem) 
Diverse research were done, including work on the construction of specific primers for rapid detection of South African exportable vegetable macergens (Aremu & Babalola 2015, Int. J. Env. Res. Public Health) and the classification and taxonomy of such vegetable macergens (Aremu & Babalola 2015, Frontiers in Microbiol.). This work has far-reaching implications in food industries playing a major role in food security and safety. The knowledge of genomic diversity within the macergens pathovars is necessary for host resistance disease-based management strategies for the plant breeders. For horticultural crops development, the importance of fine chemicals production from microbial enzymes (Esuola et al., 2016; ActaHortic.) was investigated.