Enhancing salinity tolerance and growth of Spinacia oleracea L. using halophilic plant growth-promoting bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Salinity stress is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting agricultural productivity and reducing crop yields worldwide. Halophilic bacteria play a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of saline conditions by producing plant growth-promoting (PGP) substances, thereby enhancing plant stress tolerance. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and purify halophilic PGP bacteria from the Marakkanam salt pan. The isolated colonies were selected based on distinct colony morphology. Molecular characterization based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed diverse halophilic bacterial strains. The isolates were evaluated in vitro at different NaCl concentrations. All strains tolerated NaCl up to 15%, whereas MKM11 grew even at 20%. Multiple plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits were

SUBMITTER: Raphael D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12868873 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature