Assessing the Efficacy of Cyanobacterial Strains as <i>Oryza sativa</i> Growth Biostimulants in Saline Environments
Meruyert O. Bauenova,
Fariza K. Sarsekeyeva,
Asemgul K. Sadvakasova,
Bekzhan D. Kossalbayev,
Ramazan Mammadov,
Aziza I. Token,
Huma Balouch,
Pavel Pashkovskiy,
Yoong Kit Leong,
Jo-Shu Chang,
Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev
Affiliations
Meruyert O. Bauenova
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi 71, Almaty 050038, Kazakhstan
Fariza K. Sarsekeyeva
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi 71, Almaty 050038, Kazakhstan
Asemgul K. Sadvakasova
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi 71, Almaty 050038, Kazakhstan
Bekzhan D. Kossalbayev
Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 32, West 7th Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin 300308, China
Ramazan Mammadov
Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Nature and Technology, Odlar Yurdu University, Baku AZ1072, Azerbaijan
Aziza I. Token
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi 71, Almaty 050038, Kazakhstan
Huma Balouch
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi 71, Almaty 050038, Kazakhstan
Pavel Pashkovskiy
K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Botanicheskaya Street 35, Moscow 127276, Russia
Yoong Kit Leong
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan
Jo-Shu Chang
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan
Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev
K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Botanicheskaya Street 35, Moscow 127276, Russia
Soil salinity, which affects plant photosynthesis mechanisms, significantly limits plant productivity. Soil microorganisms, including cyanobacteria, can synthesize various exometabolites that contribute to plant growth and development in several ways. These microorganisms can increase plant tolerance to salt stress by secreting various phytoprotectants; therefore, it is highly relevant to study soil microorganisms adapted to high salinity and investigate their potential to increase plant resistance to salt stress. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of four cyanobacterial strains: Spirulina platensis Calu-532, Nostoc sp. J-14, Trichormus variabilis K-31, and Oscillatoria brevis SH-12. Among these, Nostoc sp. J-14 presented the highest antioxidant activity. Their growth-stimulating effects under saline conditions were also assessed under laboratory conditions. These results indicate that Nostoc sp. J-14 and T. variabilis K-31 show significant promise in mitigating the harmful effects of salinity on plant size and weight. Both strains notably enhanced the growth of Oryza sativa plants under saline conditions, suggesting their potential as biostimulants to improve crop productivity in saline environments. This research underscores the importance of understanding the mechanisms by which cyanobacteria increase plant tolerance to salt stress, paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices in saline areas.
