Augmentative role of Piriformospora indica fungus and plant growth promoting bacteria in mitigating salinity stress in Trigonella foenum-graecum

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of Piriformospora indica and plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) in mitigating salinity stress in Trigonella foenum graecum. Plants were subjected to three different levels of salinity, viz., 0, 70, and 150 mM NaCl (electrical conductivity value 0.01, 7.67, and 15.50 mS cm−1, respectively) using a completely randomized design experiment. The P. indica and PGPB showed positive effects in mitigation of salinity stress in fenugreek plants and elevated various growth responses, viz., shoot and root length, shoot and root dry weight, leaf area, and number of leaves as compared to uninoculated plants. Microbial inoculation significantly enhanced the physiological responses, viz., photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and internal CO2 as compared to uninoculated plants. Biochemical aspects like carotenoids, chlorophylls, nitrogen, and protein content were also increased in the microbial inoculated plants as compared to uninoculated plants. However, PGPB was more effective than P. indica in mitigating salinity stress in fenugreek plant. The findings of this study revealed that P. indica and PGPB inoculation can help the plants to overcome the deleterious effects of salinity stress in fenugreek plants.