Exploring Halophiles for Reclamation of Saline Soils: Biotechnological Interventions for Sustainable Agriculture.

Abstract

Soil salinization is a major constraint on agricultural productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where limited rainfall cannot wash salts from plant root zones. This leads to disruptions in water uptake, ion balance, photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient absorption, hormone regulation and rhizosphere microbiome disturbances in plants. Chemical and biological methods can help mitigate soil salinity, but biological approaches, like using halophytes and salt-tolerant microorganisms, are preferred for environmental sustainability. Halophytes, however, represent only about 1% of flora and are habitat specific, so halophilic plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbes have emerged as a key eco-friendly solution. Halophilic PGP bacteria have shown promise in remediating saline soils, enhancing fertility and boosting crop resilience by inducing salinity tolerance (IST) and promoting plant growth traits. In the era of modern agriculture where chemical inputs are at their peak of application rendering the soil infertile, halophilic PGP bacteria represent a promising, sustainable approach to support food security, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals for zero hunger.