A pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, nutrition and some physiological aspects of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) plants grown at different salinity concentrations (0, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mM NaCl). Under saline condition, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculation significantly increased growth responses, photosynthetic pigments, nutrient contents, proline and total soluble protein of cowpea plants compared to non-AM ones. Those stimulations were related to the levels of mycorrhizal colonization in the associated plants. Interestingly, high proline, chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzymes in AM plants could be important for salt alleviation in plants growing in saline soils.

No abstract

The blossom blight phase of fire blight disease on pear trees, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora (Burrill), was typically managed by applying the antibiotic, streptomycin sulfate and copper, to trees during blossom. Biological control agents of fire blight can be achieved by applying nonpathogenic bacteria, viz. Bacillus subtilis or Pantoea agglomerans and plant extract, viz. Harmel (Peganum harmala L.) during open flowers as spraying treatments. The objective of this study was to examine the alternative bactericides against bacterium E. amylovora in vitro and in vivo during two seasons (2013-2014) in Al-Gharbia governorate, Egypt. Our results revealed the ability of these antagonistic bacteria and plant extract can decreased fire blight severity on pear trees. Further studies at different locations in Egypt with large scale  application  would allow us to make stronger recommendations including their ability to prevent disease and used them as main component in integrated pest management program.