Co-inoculation of a halotolerant Bacillus strain and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for improving plant growth in saline soils

Xinyu Li, Fahu Li, Lu Wang, Yiming Qian, Tianyu Huang, Jianhong Han and Yongjun Fan
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Xinyu Li: School of Energy and Environment, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China
Fahu Li: Department of Horticulture and Landscape Technology, Vocational and Technical College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural, Baotou, P.R. China
Lu Wang: School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China
Yiming Qian: School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China
Tianyu Huang: School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China
Jianhong Han: School of Energy and Environment, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China
Yongjun Fan: School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, P.R. China

Plant, Soil and Environment, 2026, vol. 72, issue 5, 307-320

Abstract: Soil salinisation is a major factor limiting plant growth and land utilisation in arid and semiarid regions. This study focused on the native halophyte Suaeda salsa in western Inner Mongolia to explore halophyte-associated microbial resources with plant growth-promoting potential under saline conditions. A total of 30 salt-tolerant bacteria strains were isolated from its rhizosphere. Among them, Bacillus infantis strain 29 tolerated up to 10% NaCl (w/v) and exhibited multiple plant-growth-promoting traits, including highly active 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphorus solubilisation, potassium mobilisation and diazotrophic potential as indicated by growth on nitrogen-free medium. Under pot conditions, inoculation with strain 29, particularly in combination with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), promoted plant growth under saline stress. In Suaeda salsa, the combined treatment significantly increased fresh weight and root length relative to the control, and positive growth responses were also observed in Zea mays and Medicago sativa. This study proposes an effective "halophyte-PGPR-AMF" synergistic strategy and provides a potential biological approach and microbial resource reference for improving plant growth and crop performance in salt-affected soils of western Inner Mongolia and other arid and semiarid regions with similar environmental conditions.

Keywords: saline-alkaline tolerance; plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria; soil salinity; crop tolerance; combined inoculation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:72:y:2026:i:5:id:110-2026-pse

DOI: 10.17221/110/2026-PSE

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