SELECTION OF SALT-TOLERANT MICROORGANISMS THAT STIMULATE GERMINATION AND SEEDLING DEVELOPMENT OF OIL FLAX

Abstract

Abstract

         Background and objective: Approximately 11% of the world’s irrigated land consists of saline soils. The ecological rehabilitation of such lands highlights the importance of developing strategies to maintain stable crop yields while preserving soil fertility. In recent years, the use of beneficial microorganisms has become one of the most promising areas of research in this field. The use of beneficial microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria that promote plant growth, can positively influence plant development under soil salinity conditions and contribute to improved soil fertility by optimizing processes such as nitrogen fixation, phytohormone production, nodule formation, nutrient uptake, and plant protection against pathogens. Therefore, key research directions include the identification of beneficial microorganisms, evaluation of their effects, assessment of agronomic soil structure value, study of microbial interactions, formulation of microbial-based products, and ensuring the active functioning of these organisms in soil ecosystems. Creating favorable conditions for various groups of microorganisms to optimize processes that enhance soil fertility and improve its properties is one of the key prerequisites for successful cultivation of agricultural crops.

       Objects and methods: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of microbial strains isolated from the saline soils of Northern Kazakhstan on the germination of cereal crop seeds. In the course of the study in 2024, microbial strains isolated from the rhizosphere of salt-tolerant plants of Northern Kazakhstan were examined at the Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory of BIO-KATU LLP. The study evaluated the ability of these microorganisms to activate seed germination and stimulate the growth of oil flax (Linum usitatissimum) of the ‘Kostanay Amber’ variety. For this purpose, the seeds were treated for 24 hours with culture filtrates containing microorganisms at a concentration of 10⁶ CFU/mL, while the control seeds were treated with distilled water. After that then seeds were kept at room temperature, and after seven days, germination was assessed by counting the number of emerged seedlings. The seeds were then kept at room temperature, and after seven days, germination was assessed by counting the number of emerged seedlings.

Results: As a result of the study, microbial cultures with plant growth-promoting properties were selected for potential use in the development of biopreparations.

Key words: microorganism, salt tolerance, variety, strain, oil flax, soil.