Whole-Genome Analysis of Priestia aryabhattai WJ45 Reveals a Genetic Repertoire Associated with Enhanced Wheat Germination and Early Seedling Growth Under Salt Stress

Salinity stress constitutes a major environmental constraint impeding crop establishment by limiting water uptake and disrupting osmotic homeostasis during seed germination and early growth. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) offer as a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to mitigate these limitations in agricultural systems. In this study, whole-genome analysis of the salt-tolerant PGPB <i>Priestia aryabhattai</i> WJ45 identified its genomic potential for PGP and salinity adaptation, alongside evaluations of wheat germination under saline conditions. Genome analysis revealed that strain WJ45 harbors a coordinated set of genes associated with key plant growth-promoting traits, including exopolysaccharide production, phosphate solubilization, and siderophore biosynthesis, as well as genes involved in Na⁺/K⁺ transport and osmolyte metabolism. Consistent with these genomic predictions, germination assays demonstrated that WJ45 treatment increased the germination rate by 13.1%, under salt stress compared with the non-inoculated control, while coleoptile, radicle lengths, and fresh weight were enhanced by 17.0%, 15.7%, and 53.2%, respectively, indicating improved early seedling establishment. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that WJ45 possesses a genome-encoded capacity to facilitate crop establishment under saline conditions. While further seedling and large-scale evaluations are warranted, this study underscores the potential of this genome-informed microbial resource to enhance early plant growth and resilience in salt-affected environments.