Abstract Background Salinity severely limits sensitive crops like Vicia faba in newly-reclaimed lands. Costly mitigation is unsustainable; Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) from halophytes provide a cheap, effective, eco-friendly solution to alleviate salt stress. Objective To address Egypt’s food security and overpopulation challenges, this study aimed to enhance Vicia faba growth and yield in newly-reclaimed soils using PGPB. A key goal was to conserve freshwater by testing the feasibility of cultivating faba beans with saltwater and PGPB. Methods Single and a mixture treatment of Paenalcaligenes suwonensis DW7 OR147937.1, Salinicoccus sesuvii DW5 OR083408.1 and Bacillus licheniformis DW4 OR083404.1 were utilized in Vicia faba seeds priming in semi-field and irrigated with different concentrations of seawater. Measurements encompassed Vicia faba ’s key growth metrics, the extent of nodule formation, detailed root anatomy, concentrations of photosynthetic pigments and antioxidants, evaluations of soil fertility, comprehensive yield parameters, and the total protein content found in its seeds. Results Treatments P. suwonensis DW7 and B mix ( B. licheniformis DW4 + S. sesuvii DW5 + P. suwonensis DW7) consistently resulted in optimal performance across growth, physiological, and yield metrics. The improved salt tolerance stemmed from enhanced antioxidant activity, proline synthesis, and significant root anatomical changes (e.g., enlarged vascular cylinders). Critically, under maximal stress (150 mM NaCl), B mix-treated plants achieved a 40% yield increase compared to control plants grown in freshwater, while failing to produce seeds under salt stress. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the treatment P. suwonensis DW7 and the B mix, significantly enhances the yield and growth of Vicia faba within salty soil. This innovation offers a promising solution for bolstering enhanced safety of food by making it possible for salt-susceptible crops to thrive but a broader range of agricultural produce in newly-reclaimed soils. Ultimately, this approach is poised to play a crucial role in mitigating Egypt’s impending agricultural crisis. Graphical abstract Significant impact of Bacillus licheniformis DW4, Salinicoccus sesuvii DW5 and Paenalcaligenes suwonensis DW7 isolated from Suaeda pruinosa Lange and Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) K.koch, in mitigation of seawater stress on the growth and productivity of Vicia faba cultivated in Qalabshu semi-field soil.
Wael et al. (Wed,) studied this question.