Impact of some Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) on Potato Plants under Salt Stress

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONPotato (Solanum tuberosum) stands out globally as a significant non-grain crop due to its rich nutritional profile, abundance in many vitamins (B1, B6, and C) and minerals (potassium, manganese, phosphorus, and copper) (Camire et al., 2009and McGill et al., 2013and Vander Donckt & Chan, 2019. On one hand, Egypt relies heavily on potato cultivation for local consumption and exportation to Europe, with a recorded production of 5.2 million tons in 2020 (FAO, 2022). On the other hand, the global endeavor to increase potato production faces considerable challenges, particularly from salinity-related issues.Salinity poses a substantial threat to agricultural productivity worldwide. Projections suggest that by 2050, approximately 50% of arable land might encounter salinity concerns (Kumar and Sharma, 2020). Egypt, primarily reliant on Nile River irrigation, confronts escalating soil salinization due to intensive cultivation practices and inadequate drainage systems post the modifications in irrigation methods since the late 1960s, notably with the construction of the Aswan High Dam (Kalkhan et al., 2000).