Application of PGPR Enhances Development and Nodulation of Vigna Radiata L. Grown under Salt Stress
Application of PGPR Enhances Development and Nodulation of Vigna Radiata L. Grown under Salt Stress
Muhammad Shafique, Nosheen Noor Elahi*, Muhammad Rashid, Amjad Farooq and Kausar Hussain Shah
ABSTRACT
Salinity is a major soil problem limiting plant growth and development. Application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is effective against this stress. Mung bean is an important crop that is used as food. Present experiment was conducted under natural environment to evaluate the effect of PGPR on biomass production, nitrogen and proteins percentage of four mung bean varieties under different NaCI levels in sand culture after 5,7 and 9 weeks of sowing. Both inoculated and uninoculated plants were grown on mineral medium that were N-free either without NaCI or with a range of NaCI (20, 50,100, 200 and 300mM). Dry weight of plants was increased at 0-50mM NaCl and decreased at 100-300mM NaCI concentration. Inoculation effectively increased the dry weights of plants at salinity levels of 0-50 mM NaCI as compared to uninoculated plants but was not effective at 200-300mM NaCI. Number and fresh weight of pods were not affected at 0-100 mM NaCI levels of salinity but strongly decreased at 200-300 mM NaCl. Number and fresh weights of nodules increased slightly at lower levels (20- I00 mM) of salinity but strongly decreased at 200 mM NaCI. Nodulation and pods were completely inhibited at 300mM NaCl. The nitrogen percentage was decreased in salinity stress. The total protein contents increased with increasing levels of NaCI concentration. The plants in 50 mM NaCI maintained maximum amount of protein contents as compared to those at 0mM NaCI level. Varieties MI and NM92 had higher protein contents than M6 and NM98. From these findings it is concluded that PGPR can play an effective role in increasing crop production in saline soil.
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