The miR396b/GRF6 module contributes to salt tolerance in rice. Salt stress is a major environmental challenge affecting crop growth and global food security. This study reveals that the miR396b/GRF6 module significantly enhances rice salt tolerance. Transgenic lines, such as MIM396 and OE-GRF6, showed increased survival rates under salt stress, with survival rates increasing by 48.0% and 74.4%, respectively, compared to wild-type plants. These transgenic plants exhibited reduced H2O2 accumulation and increased activities of ROS-scavenging enzymes (CAT, SOD, and POD). ZNF9, a negative regulator of salt tolerance, was identified as directly binding to the miR396b promoter to modulate its expression. MYB3R, a downstream target of miR396b/GRF6, was found to enhance salt tolerance when overexpressed. The study elucidates the potential mechanism of the miR396b/GRF6 network in rice's response to salt stress, providing valuable genetic resources for molecular breeding of high-yield, salt-tolerant rice varieties. The miR396b/GRF6 module plays a critical role in coordinating salt stress response and grain yield in rice. These findings highlight the importance of the miR396b/GRF6 module in enhancing salt tolerance in rice. ZNF9 is a salt-induced transcriptional activator that directly activates miR396b expression, which in turn enhances salt tolerance. MYB3R, a downstream target of miR396b/GRF6, positively regulates salt tolerance in rice. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the miR396b/GRF6 module's role in rice salt tolerance. The findings suggest that ZNF9 and MYB3R are key regulators in the miR396b/GRF6 module's response to salt stress. This research contributes to the development of salt-tolerant, high-yield rice varieties, which is crucial for ensuring food security in the face of increasing soil salinity.The miR396b/GRF6 module contributes to salt tolerance in rice. Salt stress is a major environmental challenge affecting crop growth and global food security. This study reveals that the miR396b/GRF6 module significantly enhances rice salt tolerance. Transgenic lines, such as MIM396 and OE-GRF6, showed increased survival rates under salt stress, with survival rates increasing by 48.0% and 74.4%, respectively, compared to wild-type plants. These transgenic plants exhibited reduced H2O2 accumulation and increased activities of ROS-scavenging enzymes (CAT, SOD, and POD). ZNF9, a negative regulator of salt tolerance, was identified as directly binding to the miR396b promoter to modulate its expression. MYB3R, a downstream target of miR396b/GRF6, was found to enhance salt tolerance when overexpressed. The study elucidates the potential mechanism of the miR396b/GRF6 network in rice's response to salt stress, providing valuable genetic resources for molecular breeding of high-yield, salt-tolerant rice varieties. The miR396b/GRF6 module plays a critical role in coordinating salt stress response and grain yield in rice. These findings highlight the importance of the miR396b/GRF6 module in enhancing salt tolerance in rice. ZNF9 is a salt-induced transcriptional activator that directly activates miR396b expression, which in turn enhances salt tolerance. MYB3R, a downstream target of miR396b/GRF6, positively regulates salt tolerance in rice. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the miR396b/GRF6 module's role in rice salt tolerance. The findings suggest that ZNF9 and MYB3R are key regulators in the miR396b/GRF6 module's response to salt stress. This research contributes to the development of salt-tolerant, high-yield rice varieties, which is crucial for ensuring food security in the face of increasing soil salinity.