Soil microbes boost crop yields on salty farmland by strengthening roots with lignin, study finds

Researchers from the University of East Anglia have discovered that beneficial soil bacteria, specifically pseudomonads, can help crops like maize, tomato, and soybean survive in salty soils. The microbes do not reduce salt levels in plants. Instead, they trigger increased lignin production, strengthening roots and improving growth. Greenhouse and field trials showed treated soybean plants had stronger root systems and higher yields under salt stress. Soil salinity is a growing problem driven by climate change, irrigation, and rising sea levels. This discovery opens the door to bio-based treatments that could help farmers grow food on degraded land without heavy chemical inputs. The study was published in Science Advances and could lead to practical tools for climate-resilient agriculture.