EFFECT OF Bacillus sp AND Glomus monosporum ON GROWTH AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF Lycopersicum esculentum (Tomato) PLANTS UNDER SALINITY STRESS

Salinity stress adversely effects the plant growth and crop productivity. The present study examined the effect of co inoculation of Bacillus sp and Glomus monosporum on tomato plant growth parameters, chlorophyll, proline and antioxidant enzymes includes (ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase) under salinity stress levels i.e 1.5 ds/m, 7.0ds/m and 12.5 ds/m in tomato plants. The co inoculation of Bacillus sp and Glomus monosporum reduced the effect of salt stress and enhanced the phenotypic parameters such as shoot and root length, fresh and dry biomass of root and shoot under three salinity levels (1.5,7.0 & 12.5 ds/m) compared with control and salinity treated plants (T3, T4 & T5). The fruit yield significantly increased in inoculated plants compared with control and salinity treated plants. In case of antioxidant enzymes Bacillus sp enhanced APX activity and Glomus monosporum increased CAT activity under three salinity levels (1.5, 7.0 & 12.5 ds/m) compared with control and the three salinity treated plants. Association of both Bacillus sp and Glomus monosporum enhanced SOD activity. In the present study both Bacillus sp and Glomus monosporum triggered SOD activity and reduced the formation of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protected plants from oxidative damage. Integrative use of Bacillus sp and Glomus monosporum could be an encouraging, ecofriendly, enhanced the plant growth and yield under salinity stress.