Saline Soils and Their Management: A Review of Recent Studies
Saline soils can pose a significant challenge for plant growth and development, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. However, recent studies have shown that certain plant-microbe interactions can mitigate the effects of salt stress and improve plant growth and yield. In this review, we highlight some of the most relevant studies on the topic, focusing on plant-microbe interactions and the role of jasmonates in salt stress tolerance.
One study by Bharti and Garg (2019) investigated the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and rhizobacteria in modulating the antioxidant defense mechanisms and Asada pathway in chickpea genotypes under salt stress. The study found that the symbiosis between the AM fungi and rhizobacteria significantly improved chickpea growth and salt tolerance by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and proline accumulation.
Another study by Yarami and Sepaskhah (2015) examined the response of saffron to irrigation water salinity, cow manure, and planting method. The study found that saffron was highly sensitive to salt stress, but the application of cow manure and planting method was effective in improving saffron growth and yield under saline conditions.
Sagar et al. (2022) investigated the diversity, mechanism, and molecular approaches of halotolerant rhizobacteria for mitigating salinity stress in plants. The study found that halotolerant rhizobacteria can enhance plant growth and nutrient uptake under salt stress by producing ACC deaminase and antioxidant enzymes that promote plant growth and stress tolerance.
Kapadia et al. (2021) evaluated the potential of halotolerant microbial consortia in mitigating salinity stress, improving growth promotion, and mineral uptake in tomato plants. The study found that the microbial consortia significantly improved plant growth and development under salt stress by increasing soil nutrient enrichment and promoting plant-microbe interactions.
Lastly, several studies have highlighted the crucial role of jasmonates in mitigating salt stress in plants. Farhangi-Abriz and Ghassemi-Golezani (2018) found that the application of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid can improve soybean growth and limit salt toxicity by regulating proline metabolism. Additionally, studies by Ahmadi et al. (2018), Salimi et al. (2016), and Talebi et al. (2018) found that exogenous application of methyl jasmonate can improve plant growth and reduce oxidative damage under salt stress.
Overall, these studies shed light on the potential of plant-microbe interactions and jasmonates in mitigating the harmful effects of salt stress and improving plant growth and yield under saline conditions. Further research in this field can contribute to the development of sustainable farming practices in arid and semi-arid regions.
