Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and salt-tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (ST-PGPR) have developed interdependent connections with the roots and have been proved to have the ability to alleviate salt stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants. These interactions increase the availability as well as the translocation of nutrients, and thus improve plant nutrition and growth. In the present study, ST-PGPR strains in combination with AMF were inoculated to KDML105 rice cultivar and subjected to a salt stress (100 mM NaCl). The application of ST-PGPR strains clearly provided a significant positive effect on growth parameters and K+ total content of the rice both under normal and saline conditions when compared to their respective controls. Our results provide supporting evidence that AMF R. irregularis and Sinomonas sp. ORF15-23 synergistically insert beneficial effects on K+ nutrition in rice, and their combined inoculation is a promising strategy for alleviating the harmful effects of soil salinity.