Effective microorganisms improve growth performance, alter nutrients acquisition and induce compatible solutes accumulation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants subjected to salinity stress Abstract No information is available concerning effective microorganisms (EM) influence on the ionic and osmotic responses in plants grown in salty soils. Therefore, as a first approach, this study focuses on the contribution of EM to nutrient acquisition and compatible solutes accumulation in salt-stressed plants. It assesses some mechanisms underlying alleviation of salt toxicity by EM application, and also directs to establish a possible interrelationship between EM application as well as ionic and osmotic stresses tolerance in plants exposed to saline soils. Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Nebraska plants were grown under non-saline or saline conditions (2.5 and 5.0 dS m -1 ) with and without EM application. Salinity stress significantly decreased growth, productivity, membrane stability index, relative water content, concentrations of N, P, K ? , Fe, Zn and Cu, and the ratios of K ? /Na ? , Ca 2? /Na ? and Mg 2? / Na ? . However, EM application protected plants against the detrimental effect of salinity and significantly improved the above parameters. Concentrations of Ca ?2 , Mg ?2 , soluble sugars, free amino acids, proline and glycinebetaine were increased under saline conditions; moreover they further increased in salt-stressed plants treated with EM. Lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide content, electrolyte leakage and Na ? level were increased in response to salinity and significantly decreased when stressed plants treated by EM. Reduction in Na uptake together with a concomitant increase in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu absorption and a high compatible solutes accumulation may be an efficient mechanism used by EM-treated plants to gain tolerance against salinity stress.

Two pot experiments were conducted in a greenhouse to examine 14C fixation and its distribution in biochemical leaf components, as well as the physiological and anatomical adaptability responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown with seawater diluted to 0.2, 3.0, 6.0, and 12.0 dS m−1. The results showed significant reductions in chlorophyll content, 14C fixation (photosynthesis), plant height, main stem diameter, total leaf area per plant, and total dry weight at 3.0, 6.0, and 12.0 dS m−1 seawater salt stress. The 14C loss was very high at 12.0 ds m−1 after 120 h. 14C in lipids (ether extract) showed significant changes at 12.0 dS m−1 at 96 and 120 h. The findings indicated the leaf and stem anatomical feature change of wheat plants resulting from adaptation to salinity stress. A reduction in the anatomical traits of stem and leaf diameter, wall thickness, diameter of the hollow pith cavity, total number of vascular bundles, number of large and small vascular bundles, bundle length and width, thickness of phloem tissue, and diameter of the metaxylem vessel of wheat plants was found. In conclusion, salt stress induces both anatomical and physiological changes in the stem and leaf cells of wheat, as well as the tissues and organs, and these changes in turn make it possible for the plants to adapt successfully to a saline environment.

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A field experiment was carried out on sandy soil at Ismailia Governorate during two consecutive seasons of 2017-2018 under dripping irrigation system to study the effect of applied volcanic ash and magnetite mineral alone or mixture compared to recommended fertilizers (chemical fertilizers) as control on soil properties, peanut yield and its quality.The obtained results show that soil salinity, pH and soil bulk density were decreased in volcanic ash, magnetite mineral and volcanic ash + magnetite mineral combined treatments, as compared to the control one. The total porosity and water holding capacity (WHC) values were augmented when soil treated by volcanic ash, magnetite mineral and volcanic ash + magnetite mineral, as compared to control. In addition, Hay and pod dry weight were significantly increased with combined treatment 26.40 and 65.00 %, respectively over the control treatment. The NPK contents were augmented due to the application of volcanic ash; it also amplified zinc concentration in hay four times and in seed three times that of control treatment. Manganese concentration followed the same trend of Zn concentration. Iron concentration increased almost five and four times compared with control treatment in hay and seed. Cupper concentration increased by 30 and 70 % in comparison to control treatment in hay and peanut seed, respectively due to volcanic ash application. The highest values of net photosynthesis rate as well as water use efficiency were also obtained from volcanic ash + magnetite mineral combined treatment as compared to those under control plants. The mixture of volcanic ash with magnetite mineral realized the highest oil content and total amino acids. Anatomical studies revealed significant increase in leaf features represented in midrib thickness, length and width of vascular bundle, phloem and xylem tissues and number of xylem vessels in vascular bundle as well as the leaf blade thickness compared to control plants. Combination of volcanic ash with magnetite mineral gave the maximum net profit as compared to control treatment. The agronomic efficiency could be arranged in the following descending order of volcanic ash plus magnetite mineral, > volcanic ash, > magnetite mineral, and finally > control.

This investigation was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2006 and 2007 at the Agricultural Experimental and Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University Giza, Egypt. to study the effect of IAA and BA on vegetative growth and yield of soybean plant. Three concentrations, 50,100 and 200 ppm. were used of each growth regulator. The results revealed that IAA or BA increased main stem length, number of branches and leaves per plant, dry weight of leaves, stems and pods per plant, number of mature pods and seeds per plant and seed yield per plant. Number of main stem internodes, total leaf area per plant and weight of 100 seeds were not affected by treatment.