Actinomycetes – The microbial machinery for the organic-cycling, plant growth, and sustainable soil health

Soil actinomycetes are known as very versatile micro-machinery having tremendous potential to produce enzymes like cellulases, chitinases, proteases, and other agro-biochemicals, which are very instrumental in soil reclamation and sustainable soil health. The metabolic aspects of actinomycetes offer enormous possibilities for industrial and commercial applications in the food, textile, fermentation, and paper industry. They have long been known for their degrading function of complex biomass, cellulose, lignocelluloses, xylene, pectin, and other complex polysaccharides present in soils. They have been studied as saprophytes, which makes them very suitable for their decomposing actions of complex polysaccharides like lignin and cellulose materials for the production of soil organic matter and composting. They maintain biotic equilibrium by antagonistic activities against pathogens present in the soil. The present review is a repertoire of information available actinomycetes which play a significant role in the soil as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as well as the commercial biofertilizers.