Harnessing Rhizospheric Microbiomes for Soil Salinity Amelioration: Mechanisms and Future Prospects

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 2, February 2026 | pp. 12–16

DOI: 10.46882/2026.AAAS.120203

Review Article

Title: Harnessing Rhizospheric Microbiomes for Soil Salinity Amelioration: Mechanisms and Future Prospects

Names of Authors: Kumar, A.¹, Patel, S. R.¹, and Takahashi, K.²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Division of Microbiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. ²Department of Biological Production, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Abstract: Soil salinization currently limits arable land yield capacities, impacting over 20% of irrigated agricultural spaces worldwide. Traditional remediation pathways involving chemical flushing or excessive gypsum applications present high long-term operational liabilities. This review synthesizes alternative biological interventions leveraging Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and halotolerant fungal consortia to improve salt stress symptoms. The predominant operational modes include the enzymatic production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, which actively breaks down stress ethylene. Additionally, micro-organisms trigger structural changes via exopolysaccharide production, binding sodium ions (Na+) within the soil root boundary to restrict root uptake. Microbial inoculation boosts structural expression of plant high-affinity potassium transporters, maintaining optimal cellular K+/Na+ balances under salt pressures up to 150 mM NaCl. Biochemical alterations include the upregulation of antioxidant enzymatic systems such as superoxide dismutase and catalase within host root tissues. This manuscript categorizes commercial inoculant delivery constraints and highlights digital multi-omics frameworks required to manage soil-microbe-crop interactions in degraded terrains.

Keywords: Microbial ecology; Salinity remediation; Biofertilizers; ACC deaminase; Ion homeostasis; Sustainable soil.

Manuscript Timeline: Received October 20, 2025; Revised December 15, 2025; Accepted January 14, 2026; Published February 19, 2026.

Citation: Kumar, A., Patel, S. R., and Takahashi, K. (2026). Harnessing Rhizospheric Microbiomes for Soil Salinity Amelioration: Mechanisms and Future Prospects. Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, 12(2), pp. 12–16.

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