Use of Some Bacteria and Mycorrhizae as Biofertilizers in Vegetable Growing and Beneficial Effects in Salinity and Drought Stress Conditions

Abstract

Industrialization and rapid population growth, especially after the second half of the twentieth century, have also revealed significant environmental problems in the world. The consistent and alarming increase in the human population has again threatened the world's food security. It is becoming increasingly clear that conventional agricultural practices cannot sustain the production base, a healthy plant-soil system, for too long. There is a growing worldwide demand for compatible environmentally friendly techniques in agriculture, capable of providing adequate nourishment for the increasing human population and of improving the quality and quantity of certain agricultural products. For these reasons, the application of beneficial microorganisms is an important alternative to some of the traditional agricultural techniques which very often severely alter the agroecosystem balance and cause serious damage to health. Beneficial microorganisms can play a key role in this major challenge, as they fulfill important ecosystem functions for plants and soil. Utilization of these microorganisms affects plant's growth and yield in a positive way. Besides, their favorable effects on root growth help plants to deal with both biotic and abiotic stress factors. PGPR and mycorrhizae can influence higher plants response to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity through different mechanisms.

Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Improve the Growth of Persea americana var. Zutano under Salt Stress Conditions

“…Regarding the joint use of mycorrhizae and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR), it is known that they can influence the superior response of plants to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity through different mechanisms such as increased potassium uptake and decreased sodium by the plant [ 28 , 29 ]. In addition, synergistic effects potentially contribute to expanding crop production to soils that would otherwise be unproductive through interactions that may have a potential role in relieving stress [ 29 ], or improving nutrient uptake and crop productivity cultures compared to a single inoculation [ 30 , 31 ].…”