सिंचाई एवं जल निकासी प्रणाली इंजीनियरिंग

Harnessing the Potential of Halophilic Plant-associated Bacteria for Plant Growth

Abstract

Jerzy Lipok

Halophilic plant-associated bacteria inhabit extreme saline environments and have evolved unique mechanisms to thrive under such conditions. This study explores the potential of these bacteria as bioinoculants for enhancing plant growth in saline soils. We isolated halophilic bacteria from the rhizosphere of halophytic plants and characterized their plant growth-promoting traits, including production of indole acetic acid, siderophores, and phosphate solubilization ability. Furthermore, the salt tolerance of these bacteria was assessed to ensure their efficacy in saline soils. Inoculation experiments were conducted with selected strains on various crops grown under saline conditions. Results demonstrate that halophilic plant-associated bacteria significantly improved plant growth parameters, including biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake, and salt stress tolerance. Additionally, microbial community analysis revealed shifts in the rhizosphere microbiome following bacterial inoculation, indicating potential ecological implications. Harnessing the potential of halophilic plant-associated bacteria presents a promising approach for sustainable agriculture in saline environments, offering a novel strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of soil salinity on crop productivity.