13620
10.30848/PJB2026-8(18)
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Molecular characterization of halotolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), their effect as biofertilizers and phytotherapeutic agents</p>
Senia Kreiri, Fatima Djadouni, Rachid Djibaoui, Yeşim Dağlioğlu Özkan and Djamel Ait Saada
<p>
Soil salinity significantly limits agricultural productivity, necessitating innovative microbial solutions to enhance plant resilience while minimizing chemical inputs. This study highlights the phytotherapeutic potential of native halotolerant <em>Bacillus </em>spp. isolated from extreme saline environments as a biofertilizer and sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides. Selected <em>Bacillus</em> strains demonstrated multiple plant growth-promoting traits, including phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and maintenance of redox homeostasis under saline stress. Their biocontrol capabilities were evidenced by inhibition of pathogenic fungi through mechanisms such as siderophore-mediated iron chelation and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production. Five strains notably enhanced plant stress tolerance, underscoring their dual role in improving crop productivity in salt-affected soils and managing phytopathogenic fungi, including <em>Fusarium</em> <em>acuminatum</em>, <em>F. equiseti</em>, <em>Aspergillus mega</em>, <em>Alternaria</em> sp. and <em>Botrytis cinerea</em>. These findings offer a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture by integrating extremophile <em>Bacillus</em> spp. as an effective phytotherapeutic agent to mitigate salinity stress and plant diseases.</p>
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Published
2026
58
8
1712
1718