NaCl Modifies Biochemical Traits in Bacterial Endophytes Isolated from Halophytes: Towards Salinity Stress Mitigation Using Consortia

Bacterial endophytes (120) were isolated from six halophytes (<i>Distichlis spicata</i>, <i>Cynodon dactylon</i>, <i>Eragrostis obtusiflora</i>, <i>Suaeda torreyana</i>, <i>Kochia scoparia</i>, and <i>Baccharis salicifolia</i>). These halophiles were molecularly identified and characterized with or without NaCl conditions. Characterization was based on tests such as indole acetic acid (IAA), exopolysaccharides (EPS), and siderophores (SID) production; solubilization of phosphate (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn); mineralization of phytate; enzymatic activity (acid and alkaline phosphatase, phytases, xylanases, and chitinases) and the mineralization/solubilization mechanisms involved (organic acids and sugars). Moreover, compatibility among bacteria was assessed. Eleven halophiles were characterized as highly tolerant to NaCl (2.5 M). The bacteria isolated were all different from each other. Two belonged to <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> and one to <i>B. pumilus</i> while the rest of bacteria were identified up to the genus level as belonging to <i>Bacillus</i>, <i>Halobacillus, Halomonas, Pseudomonas, Nesterenkonia</i>, and three strains of <i>Oceanobacillus.</i> The biochemical responses of nutrient solubilization and enzymatic activity were different between bacteria and were influenced by the presence of NaCl. Organic acids were involved in P mineralization and nutrient solubilization. Tartaric acid was common in the solubilization of P, Zn, and K. Maleic and vanillic acid were only detected in Zn and K solubilization, respectively. Furthermore, sugars appeared to be involved in the solubilization of nutrients; fructose was detected in the solubilization tests. Therefore, these biochemical bacterial characteristics should be corroborated in vivo and tested as a consortium to mitigate saline stress in glycophytes under a global climate change scheme that threatens to exacerbate soil salinity.