Abstract
The escalating population has amplified the pressure on fertile lands for cultivation of food crops has augmented; therefore, utilization of degraded agricultural fields or wastelands including salt affected soils is a possible alternative for farming of medicinal and aromatic plants. Mentha arvensis L. is grown for its menthol-rich essential oil used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, flavor, food, beverage and associated industries. The present study is aimed at identifying potential combinations of PGPR and AMF and assesses their potential in improving M. arvensis growth and yield under salt stressed conditions in both controlled and field conditions. Four AM fungi, viz. Glomus aggregatum (Ga), Glomus mosseae (Gm), Glomus fasciculatum (Gf) and Glomus intraradices (Gi) and two PGPR Halomonas desiderata (STR8, GenBank Accession no. JQ436849) and Exiguobacterium oxidotolerans (STR36, GenBank Accession no. JQ804988) were inoculated in M. arvensis in combination to assess their effects on plant growth and yield under salt stressed conditions through glasshouse trials. The plants applied with G. fasciculatum+E. oxidotolerans (Gf+STR36) recorded highest fresh weights, oil yield as compared to all other treatments as well as control plants in saline conditions. Based on the data obtained in the glasshouse experiments, G. fasciculatum+E. oxidotolerans (Gf+STR36) along with vermicompost were tested for its efficacy in promoting plant growth under naturally occurring salt stressed field conditions. The field trials indicated positive interactive effects of combined application of G. fasciculatum+E. oxidotolerans and vermicompost (Gf+STR36+VC) as observed through improved plant growth and better AMF colonization. Our results promote the idea of multi-microbial inoculations together with vermicompost as efficient biofertilizers in promoting M. arvensis growth in salt affected fields.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
