AUTHOR=Xu Qiyu , Zhu Tao , Zhao Ruifeng , Zhao Yang , Duan Yangkai , Liu Xiang , Luan Guodong , Hu Ruibo , Tang Sanyuan , Ma Xinrong , Liu Yan , Li Shengjun , Lu Xuefeng 

TITLE=Arthrospira promotes plant growth and soil properties under high salinity environments

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1293958

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1293958

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Salt stress detrimentally impacts plant growth, imperiling crop yield and food quality. Ameliorating plant resilience and productivity in saline environments is critical for global food security. Here, we report the positive effect of <italic>Arthrospira</italic> (Spirulina) on plant growth and salt tolerance in <italic>Arabidopsis</italic> and sweet sorghum. <italic>Arthrospira</italic> application greatly promotes seed germination and seedling growth in both species under salt stress conditions in a dosage-dependent manner. Application of 6 mg <italic>Arthrospira</italic> per plate significantly enhances K<sup>+</sup>/Na<sup>+</sup> equilibrium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging in <italic>Arabidopsis</italic>, reducing salt-induced toxicity. The primary root length, survival rate, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, plant height, biomass and yield were all improved in both species. Concurrently, <italic>Arthrospira</italic> demonstrated the synthesis of compatible solutes, such as trehalose (Tre) and glucosylglycerol (GG), contributing to heightened stress tolerance when co-cultivated with <italic>Arabidopsis</italic> on plates. Transcriptome analysis revealed dramatic up-/down- regulation of genes involved in phytohormone signal transduction, chlorophyll and photosynthesis metabolism, and phenylpropanoid metabolism in <italic>Arabidopsis</italic>. Furthermore, the application of <italic>Arthrospira</italic> exerted a positive influence on the rhizosphere bacteriome structure in sweet sorghum, crucial for nutrient cycling and soil health enhancement. Our findings uncovered the underlying mechanisms of algae-plants interaction in saline soil, proposing strategies to enhance crop productivity and soil quality, thereby addressing the urgent need for sustainable agriculture practices to mitigate salinity’s repercussions amidst climate change challenges.</p>