Saline Soil Conditions Research Articles

Biological Inoculant of Salt-Tolerant Bacteria for Plant Growth Stimulation under Different Saline Soil Conditions.

Using salt-tolerant bacteria to protect plants from salt stress is a promising microbiological treatment strategy for saline-alkali soil improvement. Here, we conducted research on the growthpromoting effect of Brevibacterium frigoritolerans on wheat under salt stress, which has rarely been addressed before. The synergistic effect of B. frigoritolerans combined with representative salttolerant bacteria Bacillus velezensis and Bacillus thuringiensis to promote the development of wheat under salt stress was also further studied. Our approach involved two steps: investigation of the plant growth-promoting traits of each strain at six salt stress levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%); examination of the effects of the strains (single or in combination) inoculated on wheat in different salt stress conditions (0, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mM). The experiment of plant growth-promoting traits indicated that among three strains, B. frigoritolerans had the most potential for promoting wheat parameters. In single-strain inoculation, B. frigoritolerans showed the best performance of plant growth promotion. Moreover, a pot experiment proved that the plant growth-promoting potential of co-inoculation with three strains on wheat is better than single-strain inoculation under salt stress condition. Up to now, this is the first report suggesting that B. frigoritolerans has the potential to promote wheat growth under salt stress, especially combined with B. velezensis and B. thuringiensis.

Effect of salinity on physiological and biochemical attributes of different Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) cultivars

Current study was conducted at The University of Haripur, to evaluate the effects of salinity on four brinjal cultivars Shamli, Black Nagina, Adventa 306 and Twinkle star. Experiment was laid out in CRD with two factors i.e. brinjal cultivars and salinity levels. Okra cultivars were subjected to four different levels of NaCl salinity i.e. control, 100mMol, 200mMol and 300mMol. Results revealed that brinjal cultivar Twinkle star exhibits maximum values of Fresh weight (59g) and Dry weight (8.79g), Plant height (50.66cm), Chlorophyll content (0.032mg/g), Proline content (165.08µg/g), and K+ ion concentration (54.8mg/g), under low to moderate salinity. Hence from this experiment it can be recommended that Twinkle star should be used under saline soil conditions in order to reduce toxic effects of salinity on growth of Brinjal plants. Keywords: Brinjal; Growth; Salinity; Solanum melongena L; Stress http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90234

Effect of Treated Filter Cake on Yield and its Components of Sugar Beet under Saline Soil Condition

Effect of Treated Filter Cake on Yield and its Components of Sugar Beet under Saline Soil Condition

Productivity and Quality of Rice as Influenced by Foliar Spray of Different Silicon Sources and Rates Under Salinity Soil Conditions

A field experiment was carried out at El-Sirw Agriculture Research Farm at Damietta governorate, Egypt in 2018 and 2019 seasons. This investigation aimed to be study the effect of foliar application of three silicon sources at three rates for each, i.e. nano silica at 50, 100 and 150 ppm and potassium silicate as well as magnesium silicate at 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm for both of them on the productivity of rice plants grown in saline soil. Foliar application of Si at different tested sources and rates significantly increased each of physiological characters (chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance), morphological characters (plant height, number of tillers/ m2, leaf area index and dry matter production/ m2), chemical composition in the leaf (K %, K / Na ratio and Si %), yield components (number of panicles/ m2, panicle weight and length, number of filled grains/ panicle and 1000 - grain weight), yields/ ha (grain and straw), grain quality characters (hulling % , milling % , head rice %, protein and amylose %), while significantly decreased Na % in the leaf, number of unfilled grains/ panicle and chalkiness grains % as compared with untreated plants (control treatment) in both seasons. Spraying of nano silica at 150 ppm and potassium silicate at 1500 ppm were found to be more efficiency in increasing most abovementioned traits of rice plants grown in saline soil than the other tested silicon sources and rates.

Effect of Humic Acid Application on Growth and Productivity of Sunflower Under Saline Soil Conditions

A field experiment was conducted at El-bostan Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhur University in the two successive summer seasons of 2018 and 2019. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of humic acid application on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) growth, yield & its components and some chemical constituents grown under saline soil conditions.The experiment was laid out in a split plot design in four replicates. The main plots were occupied by three sunflower genotypes Sakha 53, Giza 102 and Line 120. While subplots contained four treatments of humic acid (HA) i.e.; without HA (control), HA soil application, foliar HA spray and a combination of both foliar spray and soil addition of HA. The results showed that, different genotypes did not perform similarly under salinity stress conditions. Line 120 had the highest leaf area/plant, head diameter, seed yield/ plant and seed yield/ha. With regard to humic acid application, it caused improvement for most growth, physiological parameters, yield and its components compared to control. Obtained results also, showed that humic acid application as both soil and foliar spray on Line 120 and Sakha 53 led to obtain the highest values of most studied parameters in the two growing seasons. Finally, it could be concluded that humic acid application can ameliorate negative effects of salinity on sunflower.

Long-Term Heavy Metal Retention by Mangroves and Effect on Its Growth: A Field Inventory and Scenario Simulation.

The ability of mangroves in taking up and storing heavy metal (HM) helps in reducing HM pollution. However, HMs likewise adversely affect the growth of mangroves. We assess the effects of the long-term soil HMs enrichment on the growth of Rhizophora apiculata forest in the Can Gio Mangrove Forest (Southern Vietnam) in different environmental conditions of soil salinity, ground elevation, and tree density based on a novel set of measured data. These data were analyzed and were used to calibrate and validate for a tree growth model with influencing factors salinity, elevation, tree density, and heavy metals content. Three scenario simulations were performed to predict the mangrove dynamics under different levels of heavy metal pollution in combined environmental conditions of salinity and elevation. Simulation results show the decline of total forest biomass from 1,750,000 tons (baseline scenario with no HM pollution) down to 850,000 tons and 350,000 tons for the current HM pollution and double HM pollution scenarios, respectively. Both data analysis and simulations have shown that although mangroves can assist in reducing HM pollution, the quality and health of this ecosystem will be severely affected if the environment is excessively polluted. In addition, a data-and-model driven management tool is devised for the sustainable management of the mangrove environmental resources.

Effect of land configuration, level of irrigation and nitrogen on the performance of Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis) under saline soil conditions

Effect of land configuration, level of irrigation and nitrogen on the performance of Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis) under saline soil conditions

Salt-tolerant Bacillus species as a promising strategy to mitigate the salinity stress in wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum)

Salinity negatively impacts the bacterial diversity associated with crops in commercial fields; however, Bacillus species -due to their great metabolic/genomic background and spore formation-have shown high resilience to this abiotic stress enhancing the tolerance of plants to saline soils. This work aimed to assess the diversity of cultivable salt-tolerant Bacillus species associated with wheat commercial fields in the Yaqui Valley, Mexico, as well as to identify native salt-tolerant Bacillus strains as promising alternatives to mitigate the negative effects of saline soils on wheat. Thus, based on morphological and molecular (sequencing the 16S rRNA gene) traits related to this genus, fifty-one Bacillus strains were isolated from thirty-six 1 ha-wheat commercial fields in the Yaqui Valley, Mexico [soils showed a gradient of electrical conductivity (E.C.) from 0.6 to 6.4 dS m−1]. These strains were grouped into ten Bacillus species: 1) B. subtilis (25.5%), 2) B. megaterium (25.5%), 3) B. cereus (19.6%), 4) B. amyloliquefaciens (7.8%), 5) B. pumilus (5.9), 6) B. licheniformis (5.9%), 7) B. endophyticus (3.92%), 8) B. atrophaeus (1.96%), 9) B. safensis (1.96%), and 10) B. mojavensis (1.96%). The soil salinity in wheat fields (E.C. 0.6–6.4 dS m−1) and the in vitro salt-tolerance assay (E.C. 6.4 dS m−1) negatively impacted the abundance and diversity of Bacillus species; however, B. licheniformis TRQ65 (isolated from soils having 4.1–5.0 dS m−1) showed the highest tolerance to in vitro saline stress (6.4 dS m−1), increasing its growth 223% under saline vs. non-saline conditions. Finally, the inoculation of B. licheniformis TRQ65 was able to mitigate the negative effects of saline soil conditions on wheat (30 days post-inoculation), since the growth promotion of inoculated seedlings under a saline soil condition (6.4 dS m−1) was similar (no significant differences, p > 0.05) to inoculated wheat seedlings under a non-saline soil condition, which was higher (significant differences, p < 0.05) than un-inoculated wheat seedlings under a non-saline and saline soil. Bacillus licheniformis TRQ65 (recently taxonomically affiliated as B. paralicheniformis TRQ65) is a promising native salt-tolerant strain that needs to be studied in the future for improving wheat growth and yield, under saline or non-saline soils.

Novel Sources of Variation in Grain Yield, Components and Mineral Traits Identified in Wheat Amphidiploids Derived from Thinopyrum bessarabicum (Savul. &amp; Rayss) Á. Löve (Poaceae) under Saline Soils in India

Salt-affected soils constrain wheat production globally. A wild wheat species, Thinopyrum bessarabicum (Savul. &amp; Rayss) Á. Löve (Poaceae), and its derivatives are tolerant of high external NaCl concentrations but have not been tested yet in field conditions. The aim of this study was to study the performance of amphidiploids derived from T. bessarabicum for grain yield (GYD), yield components and grain mineral composition traits under normal and saline soil conditions. Field experiments were conducted at Karnal (pH(water) = 7.3) and Hisar (pH(water) = 8.3) sites in 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 in India. Grain samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Yield and yield component traits of amphidiploids were typically greater at Karnal than Hisar. The GYD was greater at Karnal (1.6 t ha−1) than Hisar (1.2 t ha−1) in 2014–2015. However, GYD was greater at Hisar (1.7 t ha−1) than Karnal (1.1 t ha−1) in 2015–2016. Mean grain zinc (Zn) concentration of eight amphidiploids, averaged across sites and years, varied from 36 to 43 mg kg−1. Some amphidiploids derived from T. bessarabicum showed greater GYD and grain Zn concentration under saline soils (Hisar) than normal soils (Karnal). These might be potential new sources for the development of salt-tolerant wheat varieties with increased grain Zn concentration under salt-affected soils.

Efficiency of Funneliformis mosseae and Thiobacillus sp. on the secondary metabolites (essential oil, seed oil and mucilage) of Lallemantia iberica under salinity stress

ABSTRACT Dragon’s head (Lallemantia iberica Fisch. & Mey), annual herb from the Lamiaceae family, is worldwide distributed. Lallemantia is a medicinal plant with a variety of uses, and all of its parts have economic applications, including leaves to extract essential oils, mucilage and oil for different purposes in food and medicine. This study evaluated the effects of inoculants (single and dual application of Funneliformis mosseae and/or Thiobacillus sp.) on the secondary metabolites of Lallemantia iberica under saline (6.72 dS/m) and non-saline conditions. The results indicated an increase in the percentage of essential and seed oils, along with a decrease in mucilage percentage and their yields under stress. Salinity increased the unsaturated fatty acids and unsaturated/saturated fatty acids, as well as the main components of the essential oil. However, the mucilage constituents were reduced by salt stress. Furthermore, mycorrhizal plants exhibited positively incremental effects on the components of secondary metabolites under salinity conditions. In some cases, the individual treatment of Thiobacillus had a greater effect on some fatty acids. In general, mycorrhiza and Thiobacillus can improve the yield and quality of secondary metabolites and thus compensate for the part of yield reduction in saline soil conditions.

Productivity Of Cotton Varieties In Soil Salinity And Water Deficiency

The following article deals with the data obtained as a result of studying the productivity of cotton varieties in conditions of soil salinity and water scarcity. During experiments ythe results have shown that in the soil-climatic and salinity conditions of the Bukhara oasis, the growth of the Bukhara-8 cotton variety, the expansion of the leaf surfaces are higher than that of the Omad and C-4727 cotton varieties. According to the results of the research, it was recommended to use Bukhara-8 and C-4727 varieties, which had high adaptability in grassland-alluvial, red-brown and desert-sandy saline soils of the Bukhara oasis, as a starting material in selection processes and to plant in areas with unfavorable abiotic factors.

Impact of a Nature-Inspired Engineered Soil Structure on Microbial Diversity and Community Composition in the Bulk Soil and Rhizosphere of Tomato Grown Under Saline Irrigation Water

Smart Capillary Barrier (SCB) has been recently promoted to decrease soil salinity and improve water use efficiency and the sustainability of arid land agriculture. In this study, we investigated the effect of SCB on soil microbial diversity, enumeration, and respiration in a tomato field trial. SCB soil and control (unstructured homogenous soils, H) plots were irrigated with four levels of salinity (ECw = 0.8, 3, 6, and 9 dS m−1). Microbial diversity was assessed by ITS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, enumeration of culturable heterotrophs by agar plates, and microbial respiration by MicroResp™ assays. Salinity was the main driver of the soil microbial diversity, showing a substantial reduction in the number of operational taxonomic units (− 8% for both bacteria and fungi), enumeration of culturable heterotrophs (− 51% for bacteria and − 53% for fungi), and respiration (− 18%) at 9 dS m−1 water salinity. Microbial community composition was significantly different between the SCB and H soils, as evidenced by multivariate analyses and by the appearance of 3352 unique operational taxonomic units at SCB samples that were absent in H plots. The SCB soil showed a steeper metabolic quotient increase in response to soil salinity than the H soils. The abundance of functional microbes such as nitrogen-fixing and nitrifying prokaryotes, as well as mycorrhiza, was also significantly increased in the SCB soils in comparison with the H soils. Our findings suggest that adopting SCB design leads to higher overall soil microbial biodiversity, including those communities unable to withstand extreme soil salinity conditions.

Salinity-induced changes in the morphology, physiology, and anatomy of seeds and seedlings of smooth narra (Pterocarpus indicus Willd. f. indicus)

Abstract. Manipol MM, Tinio CE, Maldia LSJ, Combalicer MS. 2020. Salinity-induced changes in the morphology, physiology, and anatomy of seeds and seedlings of smooth narra (Pterocarpus indicus Willd. f. indicus). Biodiversitas 21: 5146-5154. Pterocarpus indicus Willd. forma indicus is a commonly planted species for reforestation in the Philippines regardless of the area’s condition. Since the species could survive in areas even with harsh conditions, it was hypothesized that the species may also thrive in areas having substantial amount of salt, especially during its early growth. This study assessed the morphological, physiological, and anatomical responses of seeds and seedlings of P. indicus Willd. f. indicus (Fabaceae), a native species in the Philippines to varying salt (NaCl) concentrations (0-300 mM). Based on the results, P. indicus f. indicus grew significantly in terms of height, number of leaves, leaf area, root collar diameter (RCD), root nodules, and root-shoot ratio in the control and at 100 mM NaCl. On the other hand, the growth of the species was suppressed at 300 mM NaCl. The physiological characteristics (germination, survival, and photosynthetic rates) were also high in the control compared to the NaCl treatments. As for the seed anatomical characteristics, the radicle cells remained undamaged, with high cell number and longer cells in the control, but showed damaged and reduced cell number and length at 300 mM NaCl. This indicates that P. indicus f. indicus can only tolerate moderate saline soil conditions. Hence, this result needs to be considered in reforestation efforts of the country using this species.

Mitigation of Salinity Stress in Wheat Seedlings Due to the Application of Phytohormone-Rich Culture Filtrate Extract of Methylotrophic Actinobacterium Nocardioides sp. NIMMe6.

Salinity stress is an important plant growth limiting factor influencing crop productivity negatively. Microbial interventions for salinity stress mitigation have invited significant attention due to the promising impacts of interactive associations on the intrinsic mechanisms of plants. We report the impact of microbial inoculation of a halotolerant methylotrophic actinobacterium (Nocardioides sp. NIMMe6; LC140963) and seed coating of its phytohormone-rich bacterial culture filtrate extract (BCFE) on wheat seedlings grown under saline conditions. Different plant-growth-promoting (PGP) attributes of the bacterium in terms of its growth in N-limiting media and siderophore and phytohormone [indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and salicylic acid] production influenced plant growth positively. Microbial inoculation and priming with BCFE resulted in improved germination (92% in primed seeds at 10 dS m–1), growth, and biochemical accumulation (total protein 42.01 and 28.75 mg g–1 in shoot and root tissues at 10 dS m–1 in BCFE-primed seeds) and enhanced the activity level of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase) to confer stress mitigation. Biopriming with BCFE proved impactful. The BCFE application has further influenced the overexpression of defense-related genes in the seedlings grown under salinity stress condition. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based characterization of the biomolecules in the BCFE revealed quantification of salicylate and indole-3-acetate (Rt 4.978 min, m/z 138.1 and 6.177 min, 129.1), respectively. The high tolerance limit of the bacterium to 10% NaCl in the culture media suggested its possible survival and growth under high soil salinity condition as microbial inoculant. The production of a high quantity of IAA (45.6 μg ml–1 of culture filtrate) by the bacterium reflected its capability to not only support plant growth under salinity condition but also mitigatestress due to the impact of phytohormone as defense mitigators. The study suggested that although microbial inoculation offers stress mitigation in plants, the phytohormone-rich BCFE from Nocardioides sp. NIMMe6 has potential implications for defense against salinity stress in wheat.

When Salt Meddles Between Plant, Soil, and Microorganisms.

In extreme environments, the relationships between species are often exclusive and based on complex mechanisms. This review aims to give an overview of the microbial ecology of saline soils, but in particular of what is known about the interaction between plants and their soil microbiome, and the mechanisms linked to higher resistance of some plants to harsh saline soil conditions. Agricultural soils affected by salinity is a matter of concern in many countries. Soil salinization is caused by readily soluble salts containing anions like chloride, sulphate and nitrate, as well as sodium and potassium cations. Salinity harms plants because it affects their photosynthesis, respiration, distribution of assimilates and causes wilting, drying, and death of entire organs. Despite these life-unfavorable conditions, saline soils are unique ecological niches inhabited by extremophilic microorganisms that have specific adaptation strategies. Important traits related to the resistance to salinity are also associated with the rhizosphere-microbiota and the endophytic compartments of plants. For some years now, there have been studies dedicated to the isolation and characterization of species of plants’ endophytes living in extreme environments. The metabolic and biotechnological potential of some of these microorganisms is promising. However, the selection of microorganisms capable of living in association with host plants and promoting their survival under stressful conditions is only just beginning. Understanding the mechanisms of these processes and the specificity of such interactions will allow us to focus our efforts on species that can potentially be used as beneficial bioinoculants for crops.

Impact of bio-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. on yield and Seed quality of forage cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) under soil salinity conditions

A study was carried out to assess the effect of single and/or combined inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. isolates on seed yield and quality of forage cowpea (Vigna unguiculata cv. Baladi) under salinity-affected soil conditions. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design for two growing seasons, 2018 and 2019, with two main plot treatments of irrigation water (normal and saline) and four sub-plot inoculation treatments. Results revealed that sub-main plot treatments differed significantly for number of branches, number of pods, pod length, number of seeds pod-1, pod weight plot-1 (Kg) and seed yield (Kg fed-1) of forage cowpea plants as affected by the type of irrigation water in the two growing seasons. Also, combination treatment (Bradyrhizobium SARS-Rh3 and Bradyrhizobium SARS-Rh5) significantly minimized the negative effects of saline irrigation water treatment for seed content of elements (N, P, K, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu). In the same context, inoculation treatments followed the descending order of SARS-Rh3 + SARS-Rh5 > SARS-Rh5 > SARS-Rh3 > control for total carbohydrate and protein % of cowpea seeds during 2018 and 2019 seasons. For assessment of seed quality viz., seed germination (%), seedling length (cm), seedling weight (g), vigour index I and vigour index II were higher in 2019 than 2018 season. Similar finding was observed in economic evaluation for SARS-Rh3+SARS-Rh5 treatment which enhanced profitability of cowpea during the two growing seasons.

Cooperative Effect of Salicylic Acid and Boron on the Productivity of Pearl Millet Crop under the Degraded Saline Soils Conditions

DROUGHT and salinity are the most limiting factors for crop production in arid and semi-arid areas. Moreover, pearl millet cultivation may be an excellent selection in arid and saline lands. Therefore, two field experiments were conducted at the Desert Research Center, Agriculture Experimental Station at Ras Sudr, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt during 2018 and 2019 seasons, to study the effect of seed priming (as seed soaking) using five salicylic acids levels (tap water as a control, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/L SA) and fertilizing soil application by five boron rates (without boron, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 kg boron/fed, as boric acid) on pearl millet yields. The results showed that plant height (cm), panicle length (cm), panicles number/m2, grain weight/panicle (g), seed index (g) and grain protein content percentage as well as biological, grain and protein yields (kg/fed) were significantly increased by salicylic acid (SA) levels in both seasons. Soaking the grains of pearl millet in 200 mg/L SA treatment was the best practice in both seasons as compared to the other treatments. Regarding the effect of boron (B) treatments, all the abovementioned characters were significantly affected by B treatments in the two studied seasons. Adding 3 kg B/fed gave the highest values of all the studied attributes in both seasons. It is clear that from the obtained results pearl millet grain primed in 200 mg/L SA along with B at a rate of 3 kg/fed could be recommended for enhancing pearl millet yields under saline soil conditions.

Cekaman Garam NaCl danTeknik Aplikasi Azolla pada Tanaman Padi

Efforts to increase production potential can be carried out by extensification in a less productive saline land. Salinity is a major problem in the growth of most plants. Azolla is a plant that is sensitive to salinity, but if it is applied well, it can grow optimally at high salinity levels. The purpose of this study is to obtain an azolla application technique that is effective in increasing the adaptation of rice plants to NaCl saline soil conditions. The experimental design used was Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2 factors and 3 replications. The first factor was the azolla application technique consisted of 3 levels: fresh azolla composted, fresh azolla immersed, and fresh azolla as a ground cover. The second factor was the levels of NaCl salt stress consisted of 4 levels: control DHL 0, 2, 4, and 8 dS m-1. The adaptation ability of rice plants based on variable plants height growth rate, number of tillers, strove dry weight, root dry weight, stomata density, leaf chlorophyll (SPAD), age of flowering, number of paddy grain, and harvest index. The results showed how to test content up to 2 dS m-1 which increased rice growth especially the application of azolla composted. Increasing stress to 4 and 8 dS m-1showed bad effects on vegetative, physiology, and yields of rice components. The stronger of salt stress the higher all plants growth variables except the age of flowering that actually showed the acceleration of flowering. Application of composted azolla can increase the root dry weight and azolla as a ground cover can increase the numbers of paddy grains. Keywords: azolla, NaCl, rice, stress

Effect of Salt-Tolerant Bacterial Inoculations on Rice Seedlings Differing in Salt-Tolerance under Saline Soil Conditions

Salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could be an alternative to alleviate salinity problems in rice plants grown in the coastal areas. This study was conducted to isolate and characterize salt-tolerant PGPR and observe their effects on the physiological and biochemical properties of rice plants grown under non-saline and saline glasshouse conditions. Three strains were selected based on their salt-tolerance and plant growth-promoting properties under in vitro saline conditions. These strains were identified as Bacillus tequilensis (UPMRB9), Bacillus aryabhattai (UPMRE6), and Providencia stuartii (UPMRG1) using a 16S rRNA technique. The selected strains were inoculated to three different rice varieties, namely BRRI dhan67 (salt-tolerant), Putra-1 (moderate salt-tolerant), and MR297 (salt-susceptible) under glasshouse conditions. Results showed that the MR297 rice variety inoculated with UPMRB9 produced the highest total chlorophyll content, with an increment of 28%, and lowest electrolyte leakage of 92%. The Putra-1 rice variety also showed a 156% total dry matter increase with the inoculation of this bacterial strain. The highest increase of relative water content and reduction of Na/K ratio were found upon inoculation of UPMRE6 and UPMRB9, respectively. The biggest significant effects of these bacterial inoculations were on relative water content, electrolyte leakage, and the Na/K ratio of the BRRI dhan67 rice variety under saline conditions, suggesting a synergistic effect on the mechanisms of plant salt-tolerance. This study has shown that the application of locally-isolated salt-tolerant PGPR strains could be an effective long-term and sustainable solution for rice cultivation in the coastal areas, which are affected by global climate change.

Blessed thistle a promising species on North Dakota, USA marginal lands: Agronomic productivity, oil properties and biodiesel potential

Screening new alternative vegetable oil sources as biodiesel feedstocks has attracted worldwide attention as world oil reserves decline and environmental concerns increase. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus L.) has recently been identified as a multipurpose crop with optimal economic yield in poor soils. Blessed thistle was seeded into three different site soil conditions (site 1: silt clay loam, site 2: sandy loam, site 3: saline sandy loam) in eastern North Dakota, USA to evaluate agronomic performance and seed properties as well as biodiesel potential. The highest biomass and plant heights were obtained from the sandy loam soil, while plants grown in saline sandy loam soil had similar seed and oil yield, and similar oil content as plants grown in other site soil conditions. Biodiesel obtained from blessed thistle oil in the saline site was an excellent substitute for fossil fuels. The saline soil did not influence the blessed thistle oil yield; however, the saline soil did affect the fatty acid composition and biodiesel properties with some improvement in biodiesel quality. Results showed that blessed thistle was a promising species for biodiesel feedstock, especially for marginal soils such as the saline soil conditions in North Dakota.