Paper Title
EVALUATION OF BIOCHEMICAL ACTIVITY IN PEA PLANT UNDER SALT STRESS CONDITION, AMELIORATION BY ST-BACILLUS SP

Abstract
Pea is one of the salt sensitive cropsacross the globe. During the salt stress plants affectedby major changes in their physical and biochemical activities which lead to decreased growth and yield. Bacillus species are reported as prominently used as biofertilizer and biopesticides for Pea plant and other crops for the growth promotion and yield. Use of Bacillus in salt affected soils can be beneficial to alleviate the negative effect of salt on plant growth and yield. In this context, the present study, revealed the use of two Bacillus megaterium JR-12 and Bacillus pumilus GN-5 which helped in alleviating the growth activities in salt stressed Pea plant. A pot study was conducted using different concentrations of salt i.e., control 50, 100 and 150mM. Peaseeds were sown and inoculated with bacterial individually and in combination under Control 50, 100 and 150mM of NaCl stress. In general, inoculated plants showed higher plant height, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic apparatus than the non-inoculated plants. Additionally, the plant inoculated with Bacillus isolates under stress affectedosmoprotectant levels as compared to control plants. The antioxidant enzymes content was improved post inoculation indicating efficient stress alleviating potential. Moreover, inoculation of these microbes significantly increased plant growth parameter in plants treated with consortium of Bacillus stains. Overall, the results of the current study suggested that these microbes could have greater potential in improving the productivity of pea under salt stress. Keywords - Pea, Salt Stress, Antioxidants, Bacillus