Aim: This study aimed to screen halotolerant Bacillus strains able to promote growth and protect tomato plants against salt stress and Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici). Methods and Results: We evaluated some halotolerant strains of Bacillus spp. (Bacillus velezensis (AP-3) and Bacillus spp. (AP-6, AP-85 and AP-100)) to promote growth of tomato plants grown under salinity stress conditions and to protect them against Fusarium wilt disease. Such strains had been previously selected among 154 bacterial strains through biochemical tests (siderophores and indoleacetic acid productions, cellulase and catalase activity, nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization) in the presence of 100-mmol l À1 NaCl. Besides the above-mentioned strains, B. subtilis QST-713 (Serenade TM ) was also evaluated. Compared to control plants, aboveground dry weight increased in plants inoculated with AP-6, AP-85, AP-3, AP-100 and QST-713 strains developed in the absence of salt stress. The same tendency occurred for root dry weight; however, AP-3 strain was more effective, promoting an increase of 163%, when compared to control. Chlorophyll index and height increased >40 and 53%, respectively, for all Bacillus strains. Saline stress reduced plant growth regardless of the presence of Bacillus. Height, stem diameter, and aboveground and root dry weights increased in plants treated with Bacillus strains grown under saline conditions when compared to control. Bacillus velezensis AP-3 reduced the severity of Fusarium wilt in tomato by 50% when compared to control. Conclusion: Halotolerant Bacillus strains controlled tomato Fusarium wilt, increased growth as well as tolerance to salt stress. Significance and Impact of the Study: We demonstrated the efficacy of halotolerant Bacillus strains to control Fusarium wilt and improve tomato growth. We also demonstrated that these Bacillus strains protect tomato plants against salt stress. Bacillus can be used in an eco-friendly way because they are considered Generally Recognized As Safe.

Aims: This work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of A. brasilense inoculants to the development of wheat at the southern part of Brazil. Study Design: The experimental design was randomized block with twelve treatments, containing two liquid inoculants with the A. brasilense strains Ab-V5 and Ab-V6, with or without nitrogen fertilization and five replicates. The plot area was 4m per 6m and thirty-two rows. The seeds inoculation was performed according to the manufacturer's recommendation, and manual sowing. The top-dressing N fertilization was Urea (Super N- 45%N) at 20 days after emergence (DAE), at 120 kg ha-1 (full dosage) or 60 kg ha-1 (half dosage). Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was performed in a farm in Curitibanos county in Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The experiment was carried out on July to November 2016. Methodology: At 45 DAE, it was performed flag leaves N content Tedesco, et al. [1]. At 115 DAE, it was performed dry shoot weight, plant height, ear sizes, grain N contents and grain yield. The results were submitted to variance analysis (ANOVA) and media compared by Scott-Knot's test at 5% of significance. Results: There was no statistical difference for shoot dry weight, plant height, ear size and yield. The N leaf content was greater with Ab-V5 inoculation and half N dosage (HC5 - 109% higher than the control). The N grain content was greater with the two strains (inoculant B) without, half and full N dosage (WC56 - 51%, HCB56 - 76% and CB56 - 65%, respectively). Conclusion: A. brasilense strains had the ability to increase wheat N accumulation with lower N fertilizing, suggesting their potential as growth inducers, emphasizing the importance of further studies to confirm and understand the mechanisms involved.