Isolation and Characterization of Halotolerant Bacteria and Their Effects on Wheat Plants as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria.

Abstract

Halotolerant bacteria, adept at thriving in high-salinity environments, offer promising solutions for agricultural challenges posed by soil salinity. This research focuses on the isolation and characterization of halotolerant bacteria from saline environments and investigates their potential as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for enhancing wheat plant growth under saline conditions. Through extensive isolation and screening processes, numerous halotolerant bacterial strains were identified and characterized for their salt tolerance and plant growth-promoting traits, including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization, and siderophore production.

Subsequent greenhouse experiments revealed the efficacy of selected halotolerant bacterial strains in promoting wheat plant growth under saline conditions, with significant improvements observed in plant growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, biomass accumulation, and chlorophyll content. Furthermore, physiological and biochemical analyses demonstrated the salt tolerance enhancement conferred by halotolerant bacteria, as evidenced by improved membrane stability, osmotic stress tolerance, and antioxidant defense mechanisms in inoculated plants. These findings highlight the potential of halotolerant bacteria as effective bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture in saline environments, offering a promising avenue for mitigating the adverse effects of salinity stress on crop production.

The diversity and plant growth-promoting traits exhibited by isolated halotolerant bacteria underscore their adaptability to saline environments and their potential for enhancing crop productivity in salt-affected agricultural lands. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of halotolerant bacteria on plant growth and salt tolerance, this research contributes to our understanding of plant-microbe interactions and provides valuable insights for the development of strategies to improve agricultural sustainability in saline environments. Integration of halotolerant bacteria as bioinoculants with agronomic practices such as crop rotation, soil amendment, and water management holds promise for enhancing soil fertility, nutrient availability, and crop resilience in salt-affected agricultural lands, ultimately contributing to food security and environmental sustainability on a global scale.

Future research directions may focus on optimizing bacterial inoculation strategies, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-microbe interactions, and exploring the potential synergistic effects of microbial consortia in saline soil management, further advancing our ability to harness the benefits of halotolerant bacteria for sustainable agriculture.