Halophilic Plant-Associated Bacteria with Plant-Growth-Promoting Potential

The salinization of soils is a growing agricultural concern worldwide. Irrigation practices, drought, and climate change are leading to elevated salinity levels in many regions, resulting in reduced crop yields. However, there is potential for a solution in the microbiome of halophytes, which are naturally salt-tolerant plants. These plants harbor a salt-tolerant microbiome in their rhizosphere (around roots) and endosphere (within plant tissue). These bacteria may play a significant role in conferring salt tolerance to the host plants. This leads to the possibility of transferring these beneficial bacteria, known as salt-tolerant plant-growth-promoting bacteria (ST-PGPB), to salt-sensitive plants, enabling them to grow in salt-affected areas to improve crop productivity. In this review, the background of salt-tolerant microbiomes is discussed and their potential use as ST-PGPB inocula is explored. We focus on two Gram-negative bacterial genera, Halomonas and Kushneria, which are commonly found in highly saline environments. These genera have been found to be associated with some halophytes, suggesting their potential for facilitating ST-PGPB activity. The study of salt-tolerant microbiomes and their use as PGPB holds promise for addressing the challenges posed by soil salinity in the context of efforts to improve crop growth in salt-affected areas.