Abstract

Paddy agroecosystems globally, particularly in regions such as Bangladesh, face critical challenges from the escalating use of agrochemicals. Over the past 20-30 years, pesticide application has surged in Asian rice farming, with residues from banned organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds persisting in the environment. This widespread use leads to significant water contamination, with surface and groundwater often exceeding drinking water standards, and results in food contamination as harmful pesticides aggregate in harvested rice grains. The environmental repercussions are severe, as agrochemical runoff degrades freshwater aquatic environments, leading to bioaccumulation and health risks in fish, and exhibiting toxic effects on freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, farmers themselves face health hazards due to the overuse of chemicals and insufficient use of personal protective equipment. This review proposes rice-associated endophytic bacteria as a sustainable and multifunctional solution. Our research, supported by complementary studies, highlights that endophytic consortia can effectively degrade persistent pesticide residues directly within the plant, promote plant growth under reduced fertilizer inputs, and enhance plant stress resilience. We advocate for future strategies that rigorously evaluate these pesticide-mineralizing endophytes through field trials, comprehensive environmental monitoring, molecular and omics-level analyses, and advanced bioformulation technologies. Harnessing the power of endophytic bacteria offers a holistic approach to mitigate agrochemical runoff, restore aquatic biodiversity, and safeguard both environmental and human health in rice cultivation.

Key words: Pesticide runoff, Endophytic bacteria, Paddy agroecosystems, Biodiversity, Bioremediation, Sustainable agriculture, Aquatic ecosystems, Microbial degradation