Halotolerant Rhizobacteria for Salinity-Stress Mitigation: Diversity, Mechanisms and Molecular Approaches

Alka Sagar, Shalini Rai, Noshin Ilyas, R. Z. Sayyed, Ahmad I. Al-Turki, Hesham Ali El Enshasy and Tualar Simarmata
Additional contact information
Alka Sagar: Department of Microbiology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology [MIET], Meerut 250005, India
Shalini Rai: Department of Biotechnology, SHEPA, Varanasi 221011, India
Noshin Ilyas: Department of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan
R. Z. Sayyed: Asian PGPR Society for Sustainable Agriculture, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36830, USA
Ahmad I. Al-Turki: Department of Plant Production and Protection, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, P.O. Box 6622, Buraidah 51452, Saudi Arabia
Hesham Ali El Enshasy: Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia
Tualar Simarmata: Department of Soil Sciences and Land Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Raya Bandung—Sumedang km 21, Jatinangor 65363, Indonesia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-26

Abstract: Agriculture is the best foundation for human livelihoods, and, in this respect, crop production has been forced to adopt sustainable farming practices. However, soil salinity severely affects crop growth, the degradation of soil quality, and fertility in many countries of the world. This results in the loss of profitability, the growth of agricultural yields, and the step-by-step decline of the soil nutrient content. Thus, researchers have focused on searching for halotolerant and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to increase soil fertility and productivity. The beneficial bacteria are frequently connected with the plant rhizosphere and can alleviate plant growth under salinity stress through direct or indirect mechanisms. In this context, PGPB have attained a unique position. The responses include an increased rate of photosynthesis, high production of antioxidants, osmolyte accumulation, decreased Na + ions, maintenance of the water balance, a high germination rate, and well-developed root and shoot elongation under salt-stress conditions. Therefore, the use of PGPB as bioformulations under salinity stress has been an emerging research avenue for the last few years, and applications of biopesticides and biofertilizers are being considered as alternative tools for sustainable agriculture, as they are ecofriendly and minimize all kinds of stresses. Halotolerant PGPB possess greater potential for use in salinity-affected soil as sustainable bioinoculants and for the bioremediation of salt-affected soil.

Keywords: antioxidants; bioformulation; direct or indirect mechanisms; plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB); salinity stress; sustainable agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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