To characterise the effect of bacterial inoculants (Azospirillum brasilense and Pantoea dispersa) on the response of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to saline stress, plants were exposed to 0, 40, 80 and 120 mM NaCl in solution. The effect on plant growth; leaf gas exchange; NO3–, Cl–, K+ and Na+ accumulation; and chlorophyll fluorescence and content were investigated. Total plant DW was reduced significantly by salinity but when inoculants were applied, DW was increased. Inoculated plants showed higher DW accumulation in the roots. Salinity levels up to 80 mM NaCl did not affect the net assimilation rate in inoculated plants but 40 mM NaCl was enough to reduce this parameter in non-inoculated plants. The leaf area ratio was not modified substantially by inoculation. The leaf Cl– concentration of inoculated plants was reduced at the highest salinity, compared with control plants, and NO3– concentration increased markedly. A higher K+ : Na+ ratio was found in inoculated plants. Leaf photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were impaired significantly at moderate, but not low, salinity, the effect of inoculation being enough to maintain higher stomatal conductance under higher stress. The photochemical efficiency of PSII and the relative chlorophyll content were not affected by the inoculants. Thus, the effects of the inoculants on the response to salinity were due mainly to stomatal regulation of photosynthesis rather than effects on biochemical limitations on photosynthesis. These results indicate the benefits of these bacterial inoculants in ameliorating the deleterious effect of NaCl in a salt-sensitive crop like sweet pepper.

In order to simulate the usage of brackish irrigation water in greenhouse tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. cv. Daniela) culture in perlite, plants were supplied with nutrient solutions containing 0, 20, 40, and 60 m m NaCl. The three highest salinity treatments were applied at three different plant growth stages, during early vegetative growth [16 days after transplanting, (DAT)], beginning of flowering (36 DAT), and starting fruit development (66 DAT). Salt tolerance of tomato plants increased when the application of salinity was delayed. Salinity significantly decreased size and number of marketable fruits, but increased fruit quality by increasing total soluble solids and sugar content. Leaf and fruit calcium and potassium concentrations were decreased significantly by increasing salinity levels. This was compensated for the accumulation of sodium. Anion accumulation was increased by increasing chloride concentration. These results indicate that it is feasible to use brackish water for growing tomato with minimum yield losses if salt concentration and duration of exposure are carefully monitored.