PhD Scholar
Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
Provo, Utah
In my proposed work, I aim to investigate the role of salt-tolerant bacteria (halotolerant & halophilic) in enhancing the growth of salt-sensitive crops for agricultural production. The increasing problem of salt stress in agricultural soils due to drought and improper irrigation practices poses significant challenges for vital crops like corn, soybean, and alfalfa, which are highly sensitive to even moderate levels of salts such as NaCl. Focusing on the Alfalfa crop, my research involves analyzing the response of halophilic bacteria in the presence or absence of salt and identifying specific bacterial properties that contribute to plant growth enhancement. Recent findings indicate that salt-tolerant bacteria can stimulate plant growth under salt stress, although the exact mechanisms of protection remain elusive. My primary objectives are to improve alfalfa's salt tolerance through associations with salt-tolerant bacteria by investigating bacterial properties and understanding the response of the alfalfa root bacterial community to salt stress.