Microbial Consortia for Bioremediation: The Actinobacteria Case in Pesticide Degradation

Abstract

As the global human population continues to rise, enhancing agricultural productivity remains a critical priority (Fuentes et al., 2023). Food production systems are increasingly challenged by pest outbreaks and climate-related stresses, both of which can severely compromise crop quality and yield. Schmitz et al. (2022) reported that pest diseases contribute to approximately 45% of global food production losses each year. This highlights the importance of adopting agrochemical strategies that are both effective and environmentally responsible to balance food security with sustainable agricultural practices. Pesticides are among the agrochemicals most widely used worldwide, applied to enhance agricultural productivity. Their overutilization has led to widespread contamination, not only in treated agricultural areas but also in surrounding soils, surface and groundwater systems, and the atmosphere (Medfu Tarekegn et al., 2020). The presence of pesticide residues has been reported across all these environmental compartments, posing health risks to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems (Makarani and Kaushal, 2025).