Synergistic approaches in halophyte-microbe interactions: mitigating soil salinity and industrial contaminants for sustainable agriculture

Soil salinity is a significant environmental stress that limits plant growth and reduces crop productivity. This problem diminishes the quantity of cultivable land and has a detrimental impact on productivity. Salinity and toxic contaminants, such as heavy metals originating from industrial effluents, are widespread in agricultural lands located in arid and semiarid regions, resulting in low crop productivity. Nevertheless, due to the increasing worldwide population, it is imperative to exploit salt-affected regions for farming to satisfy the demand for food. Certain plants or cultivars have distinct adaptive characteristics that enable them to overcome the adverse effects of elevated salinity and industrial effluents. Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach for restoring heavy metal-contaminated and saline soils. This method utilizes plants to remove or neutralize salts and pollutants, contributing to soil desalination and purification. Enhancing the efficiency of phytoremediation requires a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind heavy metal accumulation and plant tolerance. Halophytes, which thrive in high-salinity environments, are particularly well-suited for this purpose. Their associated microbes play a crucial role in enhancing salt tolerance and stabilizing toxic substances. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the ability of halophytes to survive in saline conditions and their interactions with soil microorganisms in mitigating soil salinity and industrial pollutants. Addressing these challenges is essential for promoting sustainable agriculture and global food security.