Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 16-26 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 16 Review Perspective Open Access Tailoring Synthetic Microbial Communities for the Bioremediation of Saline-Alkali Soils: Mechanisms and Field Applications ZhongqiWu Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: zhongqi.wu@jicat.org Molecular Soil Biology, 2025, Vol.16, No.1 doi: 10.5376/msb.2025.16.0002 Received: 25 Nov, 2024 Accepted: 30 Dec., 2024 Published: 18 Jan., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Wu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wu Z.Q., 2025, Tailoring synthetic microbial communities for the bioremediation of saline-alkali soils: mechanisms and field applications, Molecular Soil Biology, 16(1): 16-26 (doi: 10.5376/msb.2025.16.0001) Abstract The bioremediation of saline-alkali soils presents a significant challenge due to the harsh environmental conditions that limit microbial activity and plant growth. This systematic review explores the potential of synthetic microbial communities tailored for the bioremediation of saline-alkali soils, focusing on the underlying mechanisms and field applications. Advances in synthetic biology and systems biology have enabled the design of microbial consortia with specific functional capabilities, enhancing their resilience and efficiency in degrading pollutants under saline-alkali conditions. The integration of genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) and omics technologies has furthered our understanding of microbial interactions and metabolic pathways, providing a robust framework for the rational design of these communities. Field studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of microbial amendments, such as biochar-immobilized bacteria and organic manure, in improving soil health and promoting plant growth in saline-alkali soils. This review highlights the critical role of microbial diversity and adaptation in the success of bioremediation strategies and discusses future directions for optimizing synthetic microbial communities for environmental applications. Keywords Synthetic microbial communities; Bioremediation; Saline-alkali soils; Systems biology; Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) 1 Introduction Saline-alkali soils are a significant environmental concern, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. These soils are characterized by high levels of soluble salts and exchangeable sodium, which adversely affect soil structure, water infiltration, and plant growth. The global extent of salt-affected soils is approximately 1 billion hectares, with significant areas in countries like India, where nearly 6.74 million hectares are salt-stressed (Kumawat et al., 2022). The salinization of soil reduces the growth and development of plants, posing a threat to food security as the global population continues to rise (Kumawat et al., 2022). Soil salinization and alkalization are among the most devastating environmental problems, threatening the sustainable development of agriculture (Wang et al., 2020). Bioremediation, the use of living organisms to mitigate environmental contaminants, offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical and physical methods for the remediation of saline-alkali soils (Kumawat et al., 2022). Microorganisms such as halophilic bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, cyanobacteria, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria have been documented to promote plant growth under salt-stress conditions (Kumawat et al., 2022). The use of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the effectiveness of bioremediation. SynComs can be tailored to include specific microbial strains that work synergistically to improve soil health and plant productivity. For instance, the application of biochar and effective microorganisms (EM) has been shown to significantly improve soil quality and plant growth in saline-alkali soils (Cui et al., 2020). Moreover, the introduction of diverse microbial communities can enhance plant salt tolerance more effectively than single microbial strains, due to their functional complementarity and synergistic effects (Qin et al., 2016).
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