Performance of Faba Bean Varieties Grown under Salinity Stress and Biofertilized with Yeast

Abstract

The effects of Rhodotorula glutinis inoculation on the performance of faba bean cultivars grown on sandy soil under salinity stress were studied under greenhouse conditions. The soil was inoculated with R. glutinis immediately after sowing of faba bean seeds. The pots were irrigated with Hoagland nutrient solution for 2 weeks, then with solutions containing NaCl at various concentrations (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 ppm). Seedling emergence, dry weight, and leaf K content and catalase activity decreased, whereas leaf Na, proline and hydrogen peroxide contents increased with the increase in the salinity level. The inoculation of R. glutinis mitigated the adverse effects of salinity, since the inoculated plants had greater seedling emergence, and leaf protein and K contents, and lower leaf proline and hydrogen peroxide contents than the control plants. The leaf protein contents of the tolerant (Giza Blanka and Giza 674) and moderately tolerant (Giza 717) cultivars significantly decreased under moderate salinity (3000 and 4000 ppm), whereas those of the sensitive cultivars (Giza 461 and Giza 634) decreased under low salinity (1000 and 2000 ppm). The tolerant cultivars had the highest leaf soluble carbohydrate content (LSCC). A significant reduction in LSCC was observed under 2000 ppm NaCl. Except in Giza 674, LSCC was higher in the inoculated plants than in the control. Giza Blanka had the highest leaf K content, whereas the sensitive cultivars had the highest leaf Na and proline contents. The inoculated plants had lower leaf Na content than the control. Catalase activity in leaves was higher in the tolerant cultivars than in the sensitive cultivars.