Remediation of Saline Soils Using Halo-Tolerant Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

Abstract

Soil salinization poses a significant threat to global agriculture, affecting approximately 6.73m Ha land area in India. Salinity stress impacts plant growth and soil health negatively, leading to reduced crop yields and soil degradation. This review examines the sources and effects of soil salinity, highlighting the intricate interplay between salinity and soil nutrients and its remediation. Traditional methods for soil remediation often have detrimental long-term effects, prompting the exploration of alternative strategies such as the use of halo-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. HT-PGPR offer a promising solution for sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil fertility and plant resilience to salinity stress through various mechanisms. Furthermore, this review identifies research gaps in understanding the metabolic pathways and strain selection of HT-PGPR, as well as their interactions with soil microbiota. Future research directions include field-scale experiments to validate the effectiveness and economic viability of HT-PGPR inoculation for large-scale application in saline soils. Overall, leveraging the potential of HT-PGPR represents a critical step towards mitigating the global challenge of soil salinity and ensuring food security in the face of climate change.