Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are considered highly-efficient agents for conferring salt tolerance in host plants and improving soil fertility in rhizosphere. However, information about the inoculation of beneficial microbes on halophytes in arid and semi-arid regions remains inadequate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of AMF (Glomus mosseae) inoculation, alone or in combination with PGPR (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens), on biomass accumulation, morphological characteristics, photosynthetic capacity, and rhizospheric soil enzyme activities of Elaeagnus angustifolia L., a typical halophyte in the northwest of China. The results indicate that, for one-year-old seedlings of Elaeagnus angustifolia L., AMF significantly promoted biomass accumulation in aboveground organs, increased the numbers of leaves and branches, and improved the leaf areas, stem diameters and plant height. AMF-mediated morphological characteristics of aboveground organs favored light interception and absorption and maximized the capacities for photosynthesis, transpiration, carbon dioxide assimilation and gas exchange of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. seedlings in saline soil. AMF also promoted root growth, modified root architecture, and enhanced soil enzyme activities. Elaeagnus angustifolia L. was more responsive to specific inoculation by AMF than by a combination of AMF and PGPR or by solely PGPR in saline soils. Therefore, we suggest that G. mosseae can be used in saline soil to enhance Elaeagnus angustifolia L. seedlings growth and improve soil nutrient uptake. This represents a biological technique to aid in restoration of saline-degraded areas.
Highlights
Soil salinity is a severe agronomical, ecological, and socioeconomic concern in most arid and semi-arid regions of the world [1,2]
We address the following research questions: (1) what are the impacts of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculations on biomass accumulation, morphological characteristics, photosynthesis and soil enzymes of Elaeagnus angustifolia
Our findings provide further support for this view and showed that Elaeagnus angustifolia L. inoculated with AMF separately, or together with PGPR, had markedly higher photosynthetic rates (Pn), Gs, transpiration rate (Tr), and carboxylation efficiency (CE) when compared to the control under salt stress (Figure 6), which is necessary to guarantee the photosynthesis, transpiration, CO2 assimilation and gas exchange capacity [75]
Summary
Soil salinity is a severe agronomical, ecological, and socioeconomic concern in most arid and semi-arid regions of the world [1,2]. Most of salt-affected land has become saline owing to natural accumulation of salts over long periods of time, while others are caused by anthropogenic. Sci. 2020, 10, 945 mismanagement [1]. Salinity adversely affects agriculture and ecosystems, and poses a threat to public health and security [6], which further exacerbates unsustainable livelihoods and inequalities in socio-economic development [7]. It is estimated that salinization will threaten more than 50% of arable land worldwide by 2050 [10]. This silent hazard will continue to threaten agricultural sustainability, food security, ecosystem stability, human health and income generation
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