Authors: Pradeep Kumar Netam, Meena Porte
Abstract: Soil health is an integral determinant of agricultural productivity, ecosystem balance, and environmental sustainability. Microbial biosensors, leveraging genetically engineered microbial strains, offer a novel approach to real-time, in situ monitoring of soil contaminants and nutrient dynamics. These biosensors are designed to detect specific chemical signals—ranging from heavy metals and pesticides to changes in pH and nitrogen content—by producing measurable outputs such as fluorescence, bioluminescence, or electrochemical signals. This article reviews the development and deployment of microbial biosensors as tools for assessing soil health. It explores their underlying biological principles, integration into environmental monitoring frameworks, and potential to overcome the limitations of conventional soil assessment techniques. The paper emphasizes the importance of synthetic biology and CRISPR-based modulation in enhancing biosensor specificity and stability. Furthermore, it highlights successful case studies from agriculture, bioremediation, and land reclamation projects. Finally, the article discusses current challenges—such as environmental variability and regulatory hurdles—and future directions, including field-deployable biosensor platforms and wireless data integration. The findings underscore microbial biosensors’ transformative potential in advancing precision agriculture and soil restoration practices through continuous and targeted ecological surveillance.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16834975
