Sodic-Tolerant Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Mediated Sodic Stress Alleviation in Plants

Sodic stress is a salt stress affecting crop production and productivity. Though rice is considered a sodic soil reclamation crop, the growth and yield are impaired. The prevailing climate change has increased the salt-affected area worldwide. The occurrence of higher pH-specific ion toxicity and nutrient imbalance in sodic soil adversely affects plant growth. The utilization of plant growth-promoting bacteria could enhance plant growth directly and indirectly and is considered one of the proven biological methods to alleviate the sodic stress in crops. Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) aids plants to withstand sodic stress through the production of organic acid, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), siderophore, osmolyte accumulation, biofilm formation, and Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. The sodium ions can bind to biofilm which reduces the sodium uptake by plants. This chapter highlighted the holistic nature of sodic soil impacts on soil properties, plant growth, and the mechanisms of sodic-tolerant plant growth-promoting bacteria that help plants survive under sodic conditions. Understanding the sodic environment and mechanisms of sodic tolerant plant growth-promoting bacteria leads to achieving optimum crop production and yield under sodic stress conditions.