Unlocking the Interaction and Mechanistic Insights into Plant Probiotic Bacteria for Sustainable Mitigation of Soil Salinity Stress

Salinity poses a formidable challenge to global plant growth, further exacerbated by the swift environmental changes accompanying global climate shifts. The sensitivity of most cultivated plants to elevated salt concentrations impedes their yield, particularly impacting farmers in coastal regions. This issue, with potential ramifications for food scarcity, is particularly acute in Asian nations heavily reliant on rice and wheat. Researchers are actively addressing salinity challenges through resource management, improved genetic strains, and transgenic approaches. Despite identified barriers such as time and cost-effectiveness in breeding procedures, a promising avenue emerges for sustainable and cost-effective strategies. Recent recognition of plant probiotic bacteria (PPB), specifically their potential to alleviate salinity stress, has garnered attention. These beneficial plant-associated bacteria enhance tolerance to salinity in their host plants by various mechanisms such as production of various metabolites, phytohormones, enzymes (e.g., 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase), and even by regulating the gene expression in the host plants. This chapter offers a comprehensive exploration of the PPB applications, delving into mechanistic insights into meticulous attention. The analysis culminates in conclusive recommendations for future research directions, emphasizing the enhancement of sustainable agriculture.