Comparative study of marine and soil microbes with dual ability as plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents by mitigating salinity stress

Abstract Saline environments impose considerable abiotic stress on plants, inhabiting plant growth and crop yield. Utilizing microorganisms, particularly bacteria, as plant growth promoters and bio remedial agents offers a strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity. The current review provides a comparative analysis of marine and soil bacteria, emphasizing their roles in promoting the growth of plants and biocontrol of pathogens in saline environment. Marine bacteria, which are adapted to high salinity enviroments, exhibit traits like salt tolerance, nitrogen replenishment, and synthesizing hormones, promoting plant growth, making them uniquely suited to support the propogation of plants under saline stress. These bacteria have evolved specific biochemical pathways that help them thrive in extreme conditions and facilitate plant survival in saline environment, positioning them as potentially superior alternatives to soil bacteria. Additionally, marine microorganisms possess potent biocontrol properties, including the production of antimicrobial compounds that inhibit pathogens in saline soils, an advantage over traditional soil bacteria. In contrast, while soil bacteria contribute to plant health through mechanisms like nutrient cycling, pathogen suppression, and improved plant stress tolerance, their effectiveness in saline conditions is often limited by environmental stressors. Marine bacteria with their natural adaptation to high salinity conditions, might offers a promising and unexplored area for enhancing plant tolerance and productivity in saline soils. The present review highlights the underlyning mechanisms, the potential applications of marine microorgansisms, and the challenges faced in using their biotechnological potential for ecological agriculture in saline environment. Further investigation is warranted to optimize the use of these microorganisms, with focus on exploring marine microorganisms as a novel and more effective option for PGP and biocontrol in saline affected ecosystems.