Enhancing Soil and Crop Resilience: Strategies Against Climate-Driven Salinization and Degradation

In the current era of escalating climate challenges, soil salinization and degradation emerge as significant threats, exacerbated by global population growth and heightened agricultural demands. As projections suggest a need to double food production by 2050 to cater to a population of 9.8 billion, climate-induced soil issues pose critical risks to food security, particularly in vulnerable regions. Recent studies underline the adverse effects of climate change on soil health, highlighting increasing salinity, nutrient depletion, and biodiversity losses, each contributing to reduced agricultural output and exacerbated ecological stresses.

This Research Topic aims to explore and develop sustainable mitigation strategies to address the degradation and salinization of soils due to climate change. It invites innovative research that enhances soil and crop resilience through integrated management practices and advanced biotechnological applications. Emphasis is placed on understanding the roles and potential of extremophile microorganisms in bolstering crop endurance against varying stresses.

To gather further insights into effective climate adaptation techniques, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

-Strategies to enhance plant resilience to salinity and drought stress.
-Role of extremophile microorganisms in offsetting biotic and abiotic stresses.
-Investigations into plants' physiological and biochemical responses to harsh environments.
-Development and application of emerging technologies and crop varieties suited to saline and arid conditions.
-Soil amendment strategies to reclaim fertility and combat climate impact.

Keywords: Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change, Soil Fertility, Abiotic Stress, Agroecology, Salt-Tolerant Plants, Halotolerant Microorganisms

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.