Functional Characterization of a Novel Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Halomonas elongata Consortium for Mitigating Fusarium Crown Rot and Salinity Stress in Wheat

Mainly brought on by Fusarium pseudograminearum , Fusarium crown rot (FCR) is a terrible wheat disease made worse by soil salinity, especially in dry places like Iraq. This research sought to create a dual-strain bio-inoculant including a real halophile and an aggressive lipopeptide producer so as to simultaneously handle abiotic stress and pathogen pressure. From saline soils in Al-Khairat (Karbala) and Al-Kifl (Najaf), respectively, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain BA1 and the halophilic Halomonas elongata strain HE1 were recovered. In vitro tests revealed that BA1 showed strong antagonistic action against F. pseudograminearum (85.3% inhibition), which is related to its genetic ability to make lipopeptides (ituA, srfAA). At the same time, the halophilic strain HE1 did well in high salt (6% NaCl) and made a lot more siderophores (90.5%). Molecular characterization showed that while HE1 included the ectoine synthase gene (ectA), confirming its Osmo adaptive strategy, BA1 contained the ACC deaminase gene (acdS) and generated indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Direct pathogen antagonism by BA1 and abiotic stress resistance by HE1 provide a strong, synergistic approach for plant protection. Offering a good instrument for sustainable agriculture in dry regions, this study is the first to suggest a consortium of B. amyloliquefaciens and H. elongata as a workable, ecologically friendly approach for controlling wheat crown rot under salty conditions.