Improvement of Saline Soil Properties and Brassica rapa L. Growth Using Biofertilizers

Abstract

The decline in agricultural productivity because of soil salinization has become a global problem in recent years. Biofertilizers show great potential for soil improvement as a sustainable strategy; however, their effectiveness in improving saline soils and enhancing plant growth under saline stress is poorly understood. We assessed the effectiveness of biofertilizers in improving saline soils and enhancing crop growth under saline stress and investigated the related potential mechanisms. Changes in soil physicochemical properties, plant physiological parameters, and soil microbial communities were analyzed using pot experiments. The results showed that biofertilizer application reduced total soluble salts in the soil by 30.8% and increased Brassica rapa L. biomass by 8.4 times. Biofertilizer application increased soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus by 56.1%, 57.0%, and 290%, respectively. Simultaneously, superoxide dismutase, catalase, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total soluble sugar, and proline levels also increased by 89.5%, 140%, 110%, 190%, and 130%, respectively. Biofertilizers increased the abundance of Bacillus and Planococcus and decreased the abundance of Mortierella and Aspergillus, which could potentially be the underlying reason for the promotion of plant growth. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of biofertilizers in improving saline soils and that the application of biofertilizer could greatly promote agricultural production.