The role of biochar and some biostimulants in enhancing the ability of canola seedlings to tolerate salt stress

Abstract

    The pot study was conducted in the research laboratory of the Department of Soil Sciences and Water Resources, College of Agriculture, University of Wasit to determine the effects of the combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and biochar on the growth characteristics of Canola seedlings under salinity stress. The growthchamber experiment included three salinity levels of NaCl (0 mM NaCl, 50 mM NaCl and 100 mM NaCl), three biochar levels (0, 5 and 10 %) before planting, and add the biostimulants (P. fluorescens and B. subtilis) at a rate of 100 ml per pot separately after 3 weeks of planting. The results of the study showed a significant negative effect of salt levels on some traits and indicators of vegetative growth of canola seedlings, and on the amount of chlorophyll and the percentage of major nutrients (NPK). The bio-agents and Biochar applications mitigated the negative influence of salinity stress on plant growth characteristics of canola seedlings, enhancing chlorophyll content and plant nutrient element uptake. Therefore, it can be concluded that combining biochar and biostimulants could be used to minimize the detrimental impacts of salinity stress conditions in canola seedlings.