Application of beneficial microbes in soil is an important avenue to control plant stresses. In this study, the salinity tolerance of halotolerant bacteria (Bacillus tequilensis) was investigated and the bacterium was inoculated in the soil to mitigate salinity stress. The results revealed the highest floc yield and biofilm formation ability of B. tequilensis at 100 mM NaCl concentration. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy depicted the presence of carbohydrates and proteins which binds with sodium ions (Na+) and provide tolerance against salinity. Using PCR, plant growth-promoting bacterial genes viz., 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase and pyrroloquinoline quinone were successfully amplified from the genome of B. tequilensis. In the saline soil, B. tequilensis was inoculated and chickpea plants were grown. The bacterial strain improved the physiology, biochemistry, and antioxidant enzyme activities of the chickpea plant under salt stress. Plants inoculated with B. tequilensis exhibited higher relative water content, higher photosynthetic pigments, lower levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde, and improved enzymatic activity for the scavenging of reactive oxygen species. The findings of this study suggest the sustainable use of B. tequilensis to mitigate the salinity stress of chickpea and other crops. This bacterium not only helps in the alleviation of the toxic effects of salt but also increases plant growth along with a reduction in crop losses due to salinity.
