Augmentation of Plant Salt Stress Tolerance by Microorganisms

Abstract

Salinity stress is one of the major abiotic stress, which has drastically resulted in a global reduction of agricultural productivity. Around 20% of the global irrigated land falls under the category of saline soil. The elevated amount of soluble salts present in the cultivable land poses severe problems for crop survival and affects various physiological and metabolic processes of the plants. Enhancing the quality of saline soils by chemical methods have shown limited achievements as they also disturb the balance of natural soil ecosystem. Thus, an alternative strategy to compensate for the excessive amounts of salts present in the soil with no harm to the environment is required. Salt-tolerant microorganisms or halophiles can survive in the harsh saline environment and are also important in plant growth and survival. Lately, the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, mycorrhiza, and fungal endophytes have been extensively studied for the reclamation of extremely saline habitats. Thus, understanding of the molecular mechanisms and identification of salt-tolerant microorganisms which can benefit crop survivability under extreme saline conditions without harming the ecosystem are necessary. Here, we provide an overview of our current understanding of salt stress and various microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and endophytes useful to enhance the production of crops under saline environment.