[Objective] To isolate and screen the salt-tolerant strains with good plant growth-promoting effect from the saline-alkali soil of the Yellow River Delta, thus providing strain resources for the efficient cultivation of crops in saline-alkali soil. [Methods] Bacillus strains were isolated by the dilution coating method, and the strains with good plant growth-promoting effects were further selected by the seed soaking test. The growth-promoting characteristics of the selected strains were measured, and the growth-promoting effects of the strains on Sesbania cannabina under salt stress was evaluated by pot experiments. The strain with the strongest plant growth-promoting effect was identified based on morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and molecular biological evidence. Through the whole genome sequence analysis, the genes related to the plant growth-promoting function were discovered. [Results] A total of 60 Bacillus strains were isolated, from which strains M4, M5, B5, L3, and Q17 were screened out by the seed soaking test. These strains showed robust plant growth-promoting properties, being capable of solubilizing inorganic phosphorus, solubilizing potassium, and producing inole-3-acetic acid. The pot experiment results showed that under normal culture conditions and under low salt stress (NaCl concentration of 100 mmol/L), inoculation with Bacillus increased the plant height, maximum leaf area, stem dry weight, and root dry weight of S. cannabina seedlings (P<0.05). Under high salt stress (NaCl concentration of 200 mmol/L), the fresh and dry weights of stem and leaves of S. cannabina seedlings were increased by inoculation with five strains of Bacillus (P<0.05). In addition, inoculation with Bacillus enhanced the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase while reducing the content of malondialdehyde in the leaves of S. cannabina seedlings (P<0.05). Strain M4 with the strongest plant growth-promoting effect was identified as Bacillus thuringiensis. [Conclusion] All the five isolates have various plant growth-promoting properties, being capable of promoting the growth of S. cannabina seedlings under salt stress and alleviating the inhibitory effect of salt on the seedlings. Strain M4 with the robust plant growth-promoting effect is identified as B. thuringiensis, and it has the potential to be developed as plant growth-promoting bacterial fertilizer for saline-alkali soil.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |