Effect of organic waste material and rhizobacteria on growth and physiology of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. under salinity stress

Salinity is one of the major environmental problems in arid and semi-arid region which affect the plant physiological and yield attributes. Organic waste materials such as banana peels and eggshells contain essential nutrients that are necessary for plant growth and development. The inoculation of rhizobacteria allows to decrease the hazardous effects of salinity stress. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of organic waste material and rhizobacteria on growth and physiology of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. under salinity stress. The experiment consisted of various treatments including eggshells (20g), banana peel (20g), rhizobacteria (30ml Bacillus megaterium ) and NPK(0.033kgh ^− 1 ). In the current study, salt stress 0 mM and 150 mM NaCl concentration was applied. From outcome of current study, it is shown that salt stress caused changes in morphological, physiological, biochemical and yield parameters. Peel powder treatment and Bacillus megaterium strain play major role as growth regulators for plant development under salt stress. Among the treatments, eggshells and banana peels significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity (CAT, POD, SOD and total soluble protein), total phenolic, leaf proline, reduced the oxidative stress markers (MDA, H ₂ O ₂ ) and promoted membrane stability and yield attributes. However, carotenoids content increased under NPK treatment.