Effects of foliar sprays of zinc and manganese sulfates on the fruit yield and quality as well as leaf nutrients concentration of pomegranate were studied during 2010 growing season in an orchard with a soil pH of 7.5 and EC of 5.2 (dS m -1 ). Zinc and manganese sulfates were applied two times at the rate of 0, 0.3 and 0.6 percent under a factorial design on the base of completely randomized blocks. Mn sprays had positive significant effects on the fruit yield, the aril/peel ratio, TSS, weight of 100 arils, juice content of arils, anthocyanin index, fruit diameter and leaf area. Zn effects were also significant for TSS, TSS/TA ratio, juice content of arils and leaf area. Foliar spray of Mn significantly increased Mn and N but decreased Zn and Cu concentrations in leaves. Foliar sprays of Zn significantly increased Zn but decreased Mn and P concentrations in the leaves. According to the results, the suitable combination of these two micronutrients for studied characters of pomegranate under prevailing conditions was foliar spray of 0.6% MnSO 4 and 0.3% ZnSO 4 .

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We have recently indicated the plant growth promoting activities of Pseudomonas sp. as well as their alleviating effects on some soil stressors such as salinity. This is because in recent years, biological fertilizers have received special attention by scientists in sustainable agriculture. Accordingly, it is pertinent to specify the beneficiary level of such soil bacteria on plant growth including phosphorous (P) uptake. Hence, the objectives were to determine: (1) the plant growth promoting effects of the tested Pseudomonas sp., and (2) its combined effects with different P fertilization rates on the nutrient uptake (N, P, and K) and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under greenhouse and field conditions. The experiments were factorially arranged on the basis of a completely randomized block design with three replicates and were conducted at the Research Farm of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran. P was fertilized at three levels including 0, 25 and 50 kg/ha P 2 O 5 . Pseudomonas sp. including Pseudomonas fluorescens 153, P. fluorescens 169, P. putida 4, and P. putida 108 were tested. Activities such as production of ACC deaminase and IAA-like products, as well as P solubilization were among the most important activities of the tested Pseudomonas sp. Such bacterial effects greatly enhanced wheat growth and yield under greenhouse and field conditions. The results also showed that the effects of Pseudomonas sp. on wheat nutrient uptake and the effects of bacteria as well as P fertilization on wheat yield were significant. P. putida 108 was the most effective strain enhancing wheat P uptake and grain yield under greenhouse (96 and 58%) and field (80 and 37%) conditions, respectively. Hence, although Pseudomonas sp. could be a suitable replacement for high P fertilization, however, the optimum wheat yield resulted when the bioinoculants are combined with 50% (25 kg/ha P 2 O 5 ) P fertilization. This finding has great agricultural and environmental implications.

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