Purines enrich root-associated Pseudomonas and improve wild soybean growth under salt stress. Salt stress induces a shift in the root microbiota, with Pseudomonas becoming dominant. The study shows that salt-stressed wild soybean roots secrete purines, especially xanthine, which promote Pseudomonas motility. Exogenous xanthine application to non-stressed plants also enriches Pseudomonas. Pseudomonas isolates, such as XN05-1 and YE17, enhance wild soybean salt tolerance. Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses reveal that motility-related genes, including chemotaxis and flagellar assembly, are upregulated under salt stress. The gene cheW is crucial for Pseudomonas chemotaxis toward xanthine and for improving plant salt tolerance. Root exudates, particularly xanthine, attract Pseudomonas, which in turn promotes plant growth under salt stress. The study highlights the role of root exudates in recruiting beneficial microbes to enhance plant resilience to environmental stress.Purines enrich root-associated Pseudomonas and improve wild soybean growth under salt stress. Salt stress induces a shift in the root microbiota, with Pseudomonas becoming dominant. The study shows that salt-stressed wild soybean roots secrete purines, especially xanthine, which promote Pseudomonas motility. Exogenous xanthine application to non-stressed plants also enriches Pseudomonas. Pseudomonas isolates, such as XN05-1 and YE17, enhance wild soybean salt tolerance. Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses reveal that motility-related genes, including chemotaxis and flagellar assembly, are upregulated under salt stress. The gene cheW is crucial for Pseudomonas chemotaxis toward xanthine and for improving plant salt tolerance. Root exudates, particularly xanthine, attract Pseudomonas, which in turn promotes plant growth under salt stress. The study highlights the role of root exudates in recruiting beneficial microbes to enhance plant resilience to environmental stress.