Optimizing Phytoremediation of Saline Soils with Atriplex nummularia Endophytes

This study outlines an integrated bioprospecting strategy utilizing endophytic Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) from Atriplex nummularia for enhancing phytoremediation capabilities in saline soils. Employing both culture-dependent and culture-independent methodologies, we isolated, examined, and ranked approximately 700 bacterial strains. This process led to the development of an artificial community inoculum, which demonstrated a capacity to augment plant growth and facilitate soil desalinization. Experimental treatments investigated the effects of inoculation on leaf and root endophytic communities through the application of foliar inoculum, root inoculum, and a combined root plus foliar inoculum approach. The identification of bacterial strains was accomplished through sequencing the 16S rRNA gene using the 799F-1193R primer pair on a NovaSeq 6000 platform.