CONTENTS

Page
INTRODUCTION 1
REVIEW OF LITERATURE 5
1. Salinity is a global problem 5
a. Salinity in arid and semi-arid regions 6
b. Salinity effects on plant growth 7
c. Salinity and ion toxicity in plant 9
d. Salinity and nutrient imbalance in plant 9
e. Salinity and oxidative stress in plant 10
2. Alleviation of Salt Stress on Plant by the Application of Plant Growth 10
Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)
Mechanisms of Action by Which PGPR Alleviate Salt Stress 13
3. Alleviation of Salt Stress on Plant by the Application of Arbuscular 14
Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF)
4. Interaction between AMF and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria 17
5. Alleviation of Salt Stress on Plant by the Application of compost 18
MATERIALS AND METHODS 21
1. Soil Sampling and Analysis 21
2. Bacterial and Fungal Material 22
a. Bacterial inocula preparation and inoculation techniques 22
b. Mycorrhizal inocula and inoculation techniques 22
3. Compost Application 23
4. Experimental Design and Treatments 23
a. Experimental Procedure 24
b. Data Recording 24
c. Statistical Analyses 25
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 26
1. Vegetative Growth Parameters of Wheat Plants 26
2. Shoot Nutrient Contents of Wheat Plants 30
3. Yield and its Components of Wheat Plants 35
4. Nutrient Contents in Grain and Straw of Wheat Plants 42
SUMMARY 47
CONCLUSIONS 51
REFERENCES 52
ARABIC SUMMARY