Salt-tolerant rhizobacteria to boost crop growth in saline soils
Discovery of three bacterial strains from halophyte rhizospheres that significantly enhance plant growth under saline conditions. Genomic comparison of plant-associated and non-associated bacteria identifies traits responsible for salt-stress growth stimulation.
Overview
Soil salinization is a growing challenge for agriculture, reducing yields on cropland affected by irrigation practices and rising saline groundwater. This research isolates and characterizes salt-tolerant rhizosphere bacteria from native halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) and identifies strains that can be used as seed or seedling inoculants to improve growth of salt-sensitive crops in salty soil. Three bacterial strains have already been shown to stimulate alfalfa growth by 20–45% in controlled saline conditions. The team is now working to identify the specific bacterial genes and traits responsible for this plant growth stimulation, which could lead to new microbial products for agriculture in salt-affected regions.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Three salt-tolerant bacterial strains isolated as endophytes from halophyte rhizospheres and screened for plant growth promotion
- Demonstrated 20–45% stimulation of alfalfa growth in soil watered with 0.5% NaCl compared to uninoculated controls
- Whole-genome sequencing of plant-associated strains and comparison with non-plant-associated bacteria of the same genus
- Computational identification of candidate genes unique to plant-associated isolates that may drive salt-stress growth stimulation
- Planned functional validation through gene knockouts and transfer of candidate genes into plants or non-promoting bacteria
Technology readiness level
The research is at an early-to-mid stage of development. The bacterial strains have been isolated and their plant growth promotion phenotype validated in controlled experiments. Two of the three strains have been genome-sequenced, and ongoing work is expanding sequencing to additional isolates to identify candidate bacterial genes. Future steps include functional testing of these genes and development of practical inoculation protocols for field use.
About Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a large private research university in Provo, Utah, with an undergraduate-focused profile and selective graduate programs. Corporate partners engage through sponsored research, student capstone design programs, and internship pipelines that deliver hands-on solutions and hiring pathways. Proximity to the Wasatch Front’s growing technology corridor enables close collaboration, on-site visits, and year‑round recruiting, while campus prototyping shops and test laboratories support rapid iteration. Research is supported by competitive federal funding, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation, and standard agreements streamline industry collaboration.
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