Soil bacteria found to boost crop resilience in salty farmland
6 reported
Researchers from the University of East Anglia and collaborators led by Dr. Yanfen Zheng have discovered that naturally occurring soil bacteria can help plants survive in salty soil by stimulating lignin production, rather than by controlling salt levels. The study, published in Science Advances, examined root microbiomes from multiple crops and found that pseudomonad bacteria consistently gathered around roots exposed to salt stress. In greenhouse and field trials on soybean plants, the bacteria colonized roots and improved growth and yields under salty conditions. The bacteria triggered a significant increase in lignin, a compound that strengthens plant cell walls, with some measurements rising by over 30 percent. The findings suggest potential for bio-based treatments to help farmers grow crops on saline land without heavy chemical inputs.
What’s reported
The study was led by Dr. Yanfen Zheng and included scientists from the University of East Anglia.
Pseudomonad bacteria were found to gather around roots of maize, tomato, and rapeseed under salt stress.
The bacteria did not reduce sodium levels in plants; instead, they stimulated lignin production.
Lignin content in roots of bacteria-treated plants rose by over 30 percent under salt stress.
Greenhouse and field trials on soybean showed stronger root systems and higher yields with the bacteria.
The findings were published in the journal Science Advances.
Key figures
Dr. Yanfen Zheng, researcher and lead of the study
Prof Jonathan Todd, University of East Anglia's School of Biological Sciences and Quadram Institute
Sources: ScienceDaily
