Enhancing Crop Saline Stress Tolerance and Soil Remediation with Phytobeneficial Bacteria: Diverse Approaches for Improvement

Abstract

Soil salinity, a pervasive issue exacerbated by factors like irrigation and climate change, poses a significant threat to global food security. The accumulation of salts not only hampers crop growth and yield but also jeopardizes the livelihoods of millions who depend on agriculture for sustenance. Elevated salt levels in saline soils induce osmotic, ionic, oxidative, and water stress in plants. Implementing biological solutions offers the most dependable and sustainable method to safeguard food security while reducing reliance on agrochemicals which hampers various physiological and metabolic processes in plants. To ensure optimal plant growth under such changing conditions, Implementing biological solutions (Rhizobacteria) offers the most dependable and sustainable method to safeguard food security while reducing reliance on agrochemicals must be integrated into agricultural practices. This chapter concisely explores the mechanisms and utilization of beneficial microorganisms in both plants and soil to mitigate salt stress. It also addresses the current limitations and suggests potential areas for improvement in future research.