Plant growth promoting merits of some endophytic bacteria to support growth of wheat in salt affected soil

This study was planned to examine the contribution of the plant growth promoting Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar vicea (ICARDA 441) along with five strains of endophytic bacteria isolated from saline soil to support growth of salt affected wheat plants. Phylogentic analysis based on the 16S rDNA sequences belonged these endophytes to Pantoea agglomernas HP2-MG738254, Pseudomonas stutzeri H1-MG738255, Klebsiella sp. H3-MG738256, Brevundimonas diminuta H4-MG738257 and Bacillus cereus H5-MG738258. In a field trial, inocula of these endophytes supported wheat plant growth in salt affected soil. The obtained results refer to improved germination, increases in dry weight, grain yield and protein concentration scored (2 g plant(-1), 3799 Kg ha(-1), 9.9%) respectively compared with control and increased nutrient uptake by wheat as a result of inoculation with the examined strains.