Research gap: Information is often scattered and to date there is no systematic analysis that allows an accurate description of studies about PGPR, which represents a limitation in further experimental research developments. Purpose: Describe the main applications of PGPR in original research worldwide. Methodology: The systematic review was carried out in three multidisciplinary databases following the Cochrane and PRISMA recommendations. Completeness, reproducibility and quality assessment were guaranteed. The analyzes were based on frequencies and 95% confidence intervals for the proportions Results and conclusions: 2,525 studies were identified and only 160 met the selection protocol. The majority of studies are from India, the main microbial genera described were Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Enterobacter, the most investigated PGPR mechanisms were indolacetic acid production (AIA), phosphate solubilization, antagonism and siderophores production. The most frequent plant species in the studies were corn, tomato, wheat and rice, in which the main effects of the PGPR were related weight and length of the root and the plant in general. It is concluded that this review identified the genres of PGPR, mechanisms of action PGPR and plant species of greater frequency in the studies, useful variables to summarize the evidence in this field and identify the main lines of action in future research aimed at improving health, crop production and environmental sustainability.