ABSTRACT
Soil salinity is one of the emerging abiotic stresses that drastically influences the growth and development of crop plants resulting in reduced yield. Various natural and anthropogenic activities are responsible for the development of soil salinity. Crop response to salt stress differs in terms of plant species, variety, and crop growth stage. Plants had evolved two types of salt tolerance mechanisms: one that controls salt concentration and distribution inside the plant cell, and the other that inhibits salt entry through the root. Various complex physiological and molecular adaptations had been linked with salt tolerance in crop plants. Ion homeostasis and compartmentalization, reactive oxygen species scavenging, biosynthesis of osmoprotectants and compatible solutes, synthesis of polyamines, formation of nitric oxide (NO), biosynthesis of antioxidant compounds, and hormonal balance are all involved in plant tolerance to salt stress. In some cases, it was observed that salt stress increases gene expression and production of defense-related metabolites at the molecular level. In recent years, several potential genes for salt tolerance have been found and used to support efforts in genetic engineering to improve salt tolerance in crop plants. A detailed understanding of how plants respond to salinity stress at various levels is essential for the development of salt-tolerant plant varieties suitable for salt-affected areas. Various crop management practices namely growing salt-tolerant crop variety, cover crops, nutrient management, use of nanoformulations and hormonal spray in field condition had been identified to manage salt stress. Furthermore, beneficial soil microorganisms such as phosphate solubilizing microbes, archaebacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associations in cultures may serve as an alternative and eco-friendly strategy to increase crop productivity in salt-affected areas.
