Advantages of Using Halotolerant/Halophilic Bacteria in Agriculture

Abstract

Soil salinization, one of the major restrictive problems in agricultural production, is increasing in arid and semiarid regions day by day. Rainfall in arid and semiarid regions is insufficient and cannot leach the excess salts from the plant root zones. This significantly affects the water uptake and ion homeostasis, photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient assimilation, and hormonal imbalance of plants. Soil salinity can be ameliorated using chemical and biological approaches. The application of halophytes including salt-tolerant plants and microorganisms is more preferable as it is an environment-friendly approach, given that the already salt-affected soil cannot be further contaminated with additional chemicals/matter. Yet, halophytes have limitations as they constitute an extremely small part of the total flora (around 1%); thus, the only environment-friendly approach in the amelioration of saline soils is the use of halophilic/halotolerant plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria. Recent research studies have indicated that the utilization of halotolerant/halophilic (PGP) bacteria in barren and deconstructed soils affected by salinity is a promising method to remediate these soils and increase soil fertility. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.