Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 16-26 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 22 6.2 Success stories and lessons learned The field trials have demonstrated several success stories and provided important lessons for future applications: Effective Soil Amendments: The combined use of bio-fertilizer and rotten straw significantly improved crop yields and altered the rhizosphere bacterial community in a positive manner. This suggests that integrating organic amendments can be an effective strategy for enhancing soil health and productivity in saline-alkaline environments (Lu et al., 2020). Microbial Community Adaptation: The identification of keystone bacteria and fungi with potential adaptability to various saline-alkaline environments underscores the importance of selecting and engineering microbial communities that can thrive under specific soil conditions. This approach can enhance the resilience and effectiveness of bioremediation efforts (Zhang et al., 2021). 6.3 Limitations and areas for improvement Despite the promising results, there are several limitations and areas for improvement in the application of synthetic microbial communities for bioremediation: Complexity of Microbial Interactions: The intricate interactions within microbial communities and between microbes and plants pose a significant challenge. Understanding and controlling these interactions to achieve desired outcomes requires further research and development (Johns et al., 2016). Field Variability: The variability in soil types, environmental conditions, and microbial communities across different regions necessitates tailored approaches for each specific site. Standardized protocols and scalable solutions are needed to address this variability effectively (Zhang et al., 2021). Long-term Stability: Ensuring the long-term stability and robustness of synthetic microbial communities in field conditions remains a critical challenge. Strategies to enhance the persistence and functionality of these communities over extended periods are essential for sustainable bioremediation (Johns et al., 2016). In conclusion, while significant progress has been made in tailoring synthetic microbial communities for the bioremediation of saline-alkali soils, ongoing research and innovation are required to overcome existing limitations and optimize field applications. The insights gained from recent field trials provide a solid foundation for future advancements in this promising area of environmental biotechnology. 7 Challenges and Limitations 7.1 Technical challenges in engineering and deploying SynComs in saline-alkali soils Engineering and deploying synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) in saline-alkali soils present several technical challenges. One of the primary issues is ensuring the stability and functionality of SynComs under varying environmental conditions. The performance of individual microbial inoculants can be inconsistent due to environmental variability, which complicates the design of robust SynComs that can thrive in saline-alkali soils (Souza et al., 2020; Shayanthan et al., 2022). Additionally, the complexity of microbial interactions within SynComs and their interactions with plant hosts and soil environments necessitates advanced computational methods, such as machine learning, to predict and optimize these interactions (Souza et al., 2020; Martins et al., 2023). Ensuring long-term colonization and stability of SynComs is another significant challenge, as microbial communities can change over time due to horizontal gene transfer and mutations (Martins et al., 2023). 7.2 Ecological and environmental considerations The ecological and environmental impacts of deploying SynComs in saline-alkali soils must be carefully considered. SynComs must be designed to integrate seamlessly with the native soil microbiome without disrupting existing ecological balances (Marín et al., 2021; Pradhan et al., 2022). The introduction of non-native microbial species could potentially lead to unintended consequences, such as the displacement of beneficial native microbes or the alteration of soil nutrient cycles (Pradhan et al., 2022). Moreover, the dynamic nature of soil environments, influenced by factors such as pH, salinity, and moisture levels, can affect the survival and efficacy of SynComs, making it crucial to tailor these communities to specific environmental conditions (Liu Yet al., 2019; Shayanthan et al., 2022).
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