Role of Soil Fungi in Sustainable Brown Biofarming: Enhancing Drought Tolerance, Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Abstract

Brown Biofarming is a concept that deals with sustainable agricultural practices in arid and semi-arid regions where water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate variability have been continuously reducing crop productivity. Soil fungi are one of the most significant components of the soil microbiome and they contribute in many ways to nutrient cycling, soil aggregation, plant growth promotion, and mitigation of various abiotic stresses. This review summarizes the present knowledge about the role of beneficial soil fungi in improving drought tolerance, maintaining soil health, and enhancing crop productivity under water-limited field conditions. Particular attention is given to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Trichoderma spp., endophytic fungi, and other plant growth-promoting fungal communities. The mechanisms through which fungi improve water uptake, nutrient acquisition, antioxidant defense systems, and soil physical structure have been discussed in detail. Recent advances in the development of fungal biofertilizers and their potential role in building climate-resilient agricultural systems have also been highlighted. Finally, existing research gaps and future perspectives for integrating fungal biotechnology into sustainable Brown Biofarming systems have been presented, keeping in view the practical challenges of field-level application.