SALT TOLERANT BACTERIA DIFFERENTLY AFFECTING THE GROWTH OF TRITICUM AESTIVUM VARIETIES UNDER NaCl STRESSES

These studies were carried out to determine the role of bacteria in growth stimulation and improving salt tolerance status of plants. Salt tolerant bacteria isolated from rhizosphere (ST-9), rhizoplane (RT-9, RT-10), histoplane (HT-5) and phylloplane (PT-5, PT-6) of Launea nudicaulis plant, inhabitant of salt range were selected. Impact of bacterial inoculations was studied on two Triticum aestivum varieties (Inglab 91 & Rawal 87). Inoculated and non-inoculated seeds of two varieties were germinated and grown under NaCl stresses (0, 50, 100 mM) for 10 days. After this period growth parameters (length & weight) were measured. Response of two varieties to salt stress was different. Under salt stresses reduction in germination, length (shoot, root, seedling) parameters and fresh weight was more in Inglab 91 variety as compared to Rawal 87. Dry weight parameters, Na+/K+, auxin and soluble protein contents and enzyme activities were also affected under salt stresses. In general, bacterial inoculations stimulated germination, seedling growth and fresh weight, auxin and soluble protein contents of two varieties. Whereas reductions in dry weight parameters, Na+ content and enzyme activities were manifested with bacterial inoculations. Although growth of Inglab 91 was more affected by salt stress but enhancement in growth with the application of bacterial inoculations was more in Inglab 91 relative to Rawal 87 variety.