The effects of sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and boron (B) concentrations and sodicity, as measured by the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), on the growth of a Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viceae strain isolated from a salt-affected soil were studied. The rate of growth was measured in a yeast extract - mannitol broth, amended with salts having electrical conductivity (EC) of 4, 8, and 16 dS·m-1. Each salinity level was prepared to achieve SAR values of 10, 20, and 30 with or without graded B concentrations of 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 mg·L-1. We found that salinity levels equal to or more than 8 dS·m-1 had negative effects on Rhizobium growth during the first days of incubation, but the effects became less pronounced after 1 week. Na+ concentrations of more than 1.1 g·L-1 retarded growth, especially at high SAR values (i.e., at low Ca2+ concentrations). The retardation of growth increased with increases in EC up to 16 dS·m-1, at all sodicity levels. Mg2+ added together with Na+ or with Ca2+ + Na+ affected growth more negatively than Ca2+ + Na+ alone. The effect of Mg2+ became more pronounced with increased salinities and sodicities. It was concluded that EC of more than 4 dS·m-1 retarded growth of Rhizobium, but only at high sodicity levels. The relative specific ion effect on growth was in the order Na+ < Ca2+ < Mg2+. The harmful effect of Mg2+ on this strain was accentuated by adding Ca2+ to the cultural medium. When SAR increased from 10 to 30, Na+ had no clear effect on growth, irrespective of the accompanied cations, i.e, Ca2+, Mg2+, or Ca2+ + Mg2+. Growth was reduced by B concentrations as low as 0.5 mg·L-1, and the B effect was enhanced by increased salinity.Key words: Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viceae, salinity, sodicity, boron.
