These tiny soil microbes could rescue crops from salty farmland

Researchers at University of East Anglia discovered naturally occurring soil bacteria (pseudomonads) that significantly improve plants' ability to survive in saline conditions by strengthening roots through lignin production. Greenhouse and field tests showed healthier plants and higher yields across multiple crops including maize, tomato, and rapeseed.

The discovery is laboratory and early-stage field-tested; scaling to widespread agricultural adoption and commercial viability remain to be demonstrated.