Halotolerant Silicon-Solubilizing Rhizobacteria From Sugarcane Rhizosphere Of Baramati Region Of Maharashtra: Functional Characterization And Role In Salinity Stress Amelioration For Watermelon Cultivation

Abstract

Soil salinity is a critical global challenge impacting agricultural productivity, with increasing arable land becoming unsuitable for cultivation. This study focused on the molecular identification of salt-tolerant silicon solubilizing bacteria (SSB) isolated from the sugarcane rhizosphere in the Paramati region, emphasizing bioinformatics techniques and their potential utilization in saline agriculture. Comprehensive soil analysis of 128 samples assessed physicochemical properties, including electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and silicon content. Halotolerant bacteria were isolated under NaCl concentrations of up to 12% and characterized for plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits. Molecular identification was performed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, followed by BLAST analysis, which revealed predominant genera such as Bacillus tequilensis, Pseudomonas, and Rhizobium, with sequence similarities exceeding 97%. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed taxonomic positions, while functional predictions provided insights into stress adaptation mechanisms. These findings highlight the potential of integrating bioinformatics with microbial biotechnology to address salinity stress in agriculture, particularly for crops like watermelon.