Characterization of plant-growth promoting diazotrophic bacteria isolated from field grown Chinese cabbage under different fertilization conditions

Diazotrophic bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Chinese cabbage were assessed for other plant growth promoting characteristics viz., production of IAA, ethylene, ACC deaminase, phosphate solubilization, and gnotobiotic root elongation. Their effect on inoculation to Chinese cabbage was also observed under growth chamber conditions. A total of 19 strains that showed higher nitrogenase activity identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis were found to be the members of the genera Pseudomonas and Agrobacterium belonging to α- and γ-Proteobacteria groups. These strains were also efficient in producing IAA and ACC deaminase though they produced low levels of ethylene and no phosphate solubilization. In addition, inoculation of selected diazotrophic bacterial strains significantly increased seedling length, dry weight, and total nitrogen when compared to uninoculated control. The colonization of crop plants by diazotrophic bacteria can be affected by many biotic and abiotic factors, and further studies are oriented towards investigating the factors that could influence the establishment of a selected bacterial community.     

Improvement in symbiotic efficiency of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) by coinoculation of Bacillus strains with Mesorhizobium sp. Cicer

Rhizobacteria belonging to Bacillus sp. were isolated from the rhizosphere of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Ten Bacillus strains were studied for their antifungal activity, effect on seedling emergence and plant growth promotion. Two Bacillus strains CBS127 and CBS155 inhibited the growth of all the four pathogenic fungi tested on nutrient agar medium plates in vitro. Seed inoculation with different Bacillus strains showed stimulatory effect on root and shoot growth at 10 d of observation in comparison to control whereas four Bacillus strains CBS24, CBS127, CBS129 and CBS155 caused retardation of shoot growth at 10 d. Maximum nodule-promoting effect was observed with Bacillus strains CBS106, CBS127 and CBS155. The symbiotic effectiveness of Mesorhizobium sp. Cicer strain Ca181 was further improved on coinoculation with six Bacillus strains i.e. CBS9, CBS17, CBS20, CBS106, CBS127 and CBS155 at 80 d of plant growth under sterile conditions and shoot dry weight ratios increased 1.62 to 1.74 times those of Mesorhizobium-inoculated treatments, suggesting the usefulness of introduced rhizobacteria in improving crop productivity.     

Induction of systemic resistance in chickpea against Fusarium wilt by Bacillus strains

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains Rb29 (B. amyloliquefaciens MF352007), Bs1 (B. subtilis MF352017) and Bt1 (B. tequilensis MF352019) were tested for growth promotion and for their ability to induce systemic resistance against Fusarium wilt, a vascular disease of chickpea, using two methods that include whole plant and a split-root system. Bacillus strains and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (FOC) were inoculated on separate halves of roots of chickpea seedlings at the same time and then planted in separate pots either in superposition or one side of the other. All Bacillus strains systemically induced resistance against FOC, and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the wilt disease by 98–100%. Application of Bacillus strains effectively enhanced plant growth, leading to increased plant height, root length, a fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots. These results help to explain the role of strains of Bacillus in growth promotion and biological control of Fusarium wilt in chickpea. This is the first report of systemic-induced resistance against Fusarium wilt in chickpea obtained by application of Bacillus strains to a root system spatially separated from the FOC-inoculated root.     

Organic acid production and plant growth promotion as a function of phosphate solubilization by Acinetobacter rhizosphaerae strain BIHB 723 isolated from the cold deserts of the trans-Himalayas

An efficient phosphate-solubilizing plant growth–promoting Acinetobacter rhizosphaerae strain BIHB 723 exhibited significantly higher solubilization of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) than Udaipur rock phosphate (URP), Mussoorie rock phosphate (MRP) and North Carolina rock phosphate (NCRP). Qualitative and quantitative differences were discerned in the gluconic, oxalic, 2-keto gluconic, lactic, malic and formic acids during the solubilization of various inorganic phosphates by the strain. Gluconic acid was the main organic acid produced during phosphate solubilization. Formic acid production was restricted to TCP solubilization and oxalic acid production to the solubilization of MRP, URP and NCRP. A significant increase in plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root length, root dry weight, and root, shoot and soil phosphorus (P) contents was recorded with the inoculated treatments over the uninoculated NP₀K or NP_TCPK treatments. Plant growth promotion as a function of phosphate solubilization suggested that the use of bacterial strain would be a beneficial addition to the agriculture practices in TCP-rich soils in reducing the application of phosphatic fertilizers.     

花生种子相关促生菌分离鉴定及功能评价

【背景】利用微生物促进植物健康生长是农业可持续发展的重要方向之一,而种子相关的促生菌可在植物生命周期早期与植物相互作用,对植物健康生长具有重要意义。【目的】发掘与利用种子相关促生菌的前提是筛选获得促生菌菌种资源,验证其益生能力,为其进一步应用与机理研究提供依据与支持。【方法】以花生种子为研究对象,从种子表面及种子内部分离纯化多株菌,测定菌株的固氮、解磷、解钾、吲哚乙酸合成和铁载体合成等促生能力,并验证菌株对常见植物病原菌的生长抑制特性;通过16S rRNA基因序列进行系统发育分析,确定分类地位;通过生物膜形成能力及根际定殖能力测定菌株在植物根际的生存能力;最后通过催芽及盆栽试验测定菌株对花生种子发芽及幼苗生长的影响。【结果】从花生种子表面、种子内和胚根内分离筛选到41株菌,均有吲哚乙酸合成能力,其中35株有固氮能力,2株有铁载体分泌能力,14株有植物病原菌生长抑制能力。各选一株为代表的菌株,即PS3、PE5和PR5,经16S rRNA基因序列比对分析鉴定为芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)。PS3、PE5和PR5均可在MSgg液体培养基表面形成褶皱较强的生物膜,也可在花生根际形成有效定殖。催芽试验结果表明经过促生菌浸种后花生种子萌发率明显提高,在第2天时,PS5将发芽率由14.17%提高至38.33%,PE5发芽率提高至30.83%,PR5发芽率提高至39.17%。三株菌能够明显促进花生幼苗生长,PS5对花生幼苗苗高、根长、鲜重和干重分别提高21.82%、22.20%、37.11%和35.64%,PE5分别提高17.45%、18.93%、26.10%和21.18%,PR5分别提高23.11%、23.92%、38.66%和37.47%。【结论】筛选获得的花生种子相关促生菌,具有促进植物生长的潜力,明显促进种子萌发及幼苗生长,是良好的促生菌生物资源,具有较好的应用潜力。     

Efficient colonization of the endophytes Herbaspirillum huttiense RCA24 and Enterobacter cloacae RCA25 influences the physiological parameters of Oryza sativa L. cv. Baldo rice

Several important bacterial characteristics, such as biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity and production of siderophores and phytohormones, can be assessed as plant growth promotion traits. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fixing and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) producing endophytes in two Oryza sativa cultivars (Baldo and Vialone Nano). Three bacteria, Herbaspirillum huttiense RCA24, Enterobacter asburiae RCA23 and Staphylococcus sp. 377, producing different IAA levels, were tested for their ability to enhance nifH gene expression and nitrogenase activity in Enterobacter cloacae RCA25. Results showed that H. huttiense RCA24 performed best. Improvement in nitrogen fixation and changes in physiological parameters such as chlorophyll, nitrogen content and shoot dry weight were observed for plants co-inoculated with strains RCA25 and RCA24 in a 10:1 ratio. Based on confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis, strain RCA24 was the best colonizer of the root interior and the only IAA producer located in the same root niche occupied by RCA25 cells. This work shows that the choice of a bio-inoculum having the right composition is one of the key aspects to be considered for the inoculation of a specific host plant cultivar with microbial consortia.     

Plant growth promoting potential of the fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Discosia</Emphasis> sp. FIHB 571 from tea rhizosphere tested on chickpea,maize and pea

The ITS region sequence of a phosphate-solubilizing fungus isolated from the rhizosphere of tea growing in Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh showed 96% identity with Discosia sp. strain HKUCC 6626 ITS 1, 5.8S rRNA gene and ITS 2 complete sequence, and 28S rRNA gene partial sequence. The fungus exhibited the multiple plant growth promoting attributes of solubilization of inorganic phosphate substrates, production of phytase and siderophores, and biosynthesis of indole acetic acid (IAA)-like auxins. The fungal inoculum significantly increased the root length, shoot length and dry matter in the test plants of maize, pea and chickpea over the uninoculated control under the controlled environment. The plant growth promoting attributes have not been previously studied for the fungus. The fungal strain with its multiple plant growth promoting activities appears attractive towards the development of microbial inoculants.     

Isolated Phosphate-Solubilizing Soil Bacteria Promotes In vitro Growth of Solanum tuberosum L.

The capacity of four bacterial strains isolated from productive soil potato fields to solubilize tricalcium phosphate on Pikovskaya agar or in a liquid medium was evaluated. A bacterial strain was selected to evaluate in vitro capacity of plant-growth promotion on Solanum tuberosum L. culture. Bacterial strain A3 showed the highest value of phosphate solubilization, reaching a 20 mm-diameter halo and a concentration of 350 mg/l on agar and in a liquid medium, respectively. Bacterial strain A3 was identified by 16S rDNA analysis as Bacillus pumilus with 98% identity; therefore, it is the first report for Bacillus pumilus as phosphate solubilizer. Plant-growth promotion assayed by in vitro culture of potato microplants showed that the addition of bacterial strain A3 increased root and stems length after 28 days. It significantly increased stem length by 79.3%, and duplicated the fresh weight of control microplants. In this paper, results reported regarding phosphorus solubilization and growth promotion under in vitro conditions represent a step forward in the use of innocuous bacterial strain biofertilizer on potato field cultures.Key words: Bacillus sp., phosphorus soluble, Pikovskaya agar, potato rhizosphere, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria     

Enhancement of Green Gram Nodulation and Growth by Bacillus Species

Rhizobacteria belonging to Bacillus sp. were isolated from the rhizosphere of green gram (Vigna radiata). Seed inoculation with the rhizobacteria showed stunting effect on root growth whereas four Bacillus strains caused stimulation of shoot growth at both 4 and 7 d of observations. Coinoculation of some Bacillus strains with effective Bradyrhizobium strain S24 resulted in enhanced nodulation and plant growth of green gram. The shoot dry mass (ratio to uninoculated control) varied from 1.32 to 6.33 at day 30 and from 1.28 to 3.55 at day 40 of plant growth. Nodule promoting effect after 40 d of plant growth was observed with majority of Bacillus strains except for MRS9 and MRS26. Maximum gains in nodulation, nitrogenase activity and plant growth were observed with Bacillus strains MRS12, MRS18, MRS22 and MRS27 after 40 d of plant growth, suggesting the usefulness of introduced rhizobacteria in improving crop productivity.     

Stimulation of the growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jatropha curcas</Emphasis> by the plant growth promoting bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobacter cancerogenus</Emphasis> MSA2

A novel Enterobacter cancerogenus MSA2 is a plant growth promoting gamma-proteobacterium that was isolated from the rhizosphere of Jatropha cucas a potentially important biofuel feed stock plant. Based on phenotypic, physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic studies, strain MSA2 could be classified as a member of E. cancerogenus. However, comparisons of characteristics with other known species of the genus Enterobacter suggested that strain MSA2 could be a novel PGPB strain. In vitro studies were carried for the plant growth promoting attribute of this culture. It tested positive for ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) deaminase production, phytase, phosphate solubilization, IAA (Indole acetic acid) production, siderophore, and ammonia production. The isolate was then used as a inoculant for the vegetative study of Jatropha curcas plant. Enterobacter cancerogenus MSA2 supplemented with 1% carboxymethylcellulose showed overall plant growth promotion effect resulting in enhanced root length (124.14%), fresh root mass (81%), fresh shoot mass (120.02%), dry root mass (124%), dry shoot mass (105.54%), number of leaf (30.72%), chlorophyll content (50.41%), and biomass (87.20%) over control under the days of experimental observation. This study was designed for 120 days and was in triplicate and the data was collected at every 30 days.     

A Multiphasic Approach for the Identification of Endophytic Bacterial in Strawberry Fruit and their Potential for Plant Growth Promotion

This study used a multiphasic approach, characterized by the simultaneous use of culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, to investigate endophytic bacterial communities in strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) fruit. A total of 92 bacterial endophytes were isolated and initially grouped by their repetitive extragenic palindromic (rep)-PCR banding pattern and biochemical features. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of 45 representatives showed that the isolates belonged to the species Bacillus subtilis (eight isolates), Bacillus sp. (seven isolates), Enterobacter sp. (seven isolates), Enterobacter ludwigii (six isolates), Lactobacillus plantarum (six isolates), Pseudomonas sp. (five isolates), Pantoea punctata (three isolates), and Curtobacterium citreum (three isolates). Nucleic acids were extracted from the strawberry fruit and subjected to 16S rRNA gene directed polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (16S rRNA PCR-DGGE). The species B. subtilis, Enterobacter sp., and Pseudomonas sp. were detected both by isolation and DGGE. The DGGE fingerprints of total bacterial DNA did not exhibit bands corresponding to several of the representative species isolated in the extinction dilution (L. plantarum, C. citreum, and P. punctata). In contrast, bands in the DGGE profile that were identified as relatives of Arthrobacter sp. and one uncultivable Erythrobacter sp. were not recovered by cultivation techniques. After isolation, the nitrogen fixation ability and the in vitro production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) equivalents and siderophores were evaluated. A high percentage of isolates were found to possess the ability to produce siderophores and IAA equivalents; however, only a few isolates belonging to the genera Pseudomonas and Enterobacter showed the ability to fix nitrogen. Plant growth promotion was evaluated under greenhouse conditions and revealed the ability of the Bacillus strains to enhance the number of leaves, shoot length, root dry weight, and shoot dry weight. The activity of the bacterial isolate identified as B. subtilis NA-108 exerted the greatest influence on strawberry growth and showed a 42.8% increase in number of leaves, 15.26% for high shoot, 43.5% increase in root dry weight, and a 77% increase in shoot dry weight when compared with untreated controls.     

芽胞杆菌浸种对水稻内生细菌群落结构的影响

水稻内生细菌群落是反映植株内环境是否健康稳定的重要生物学指标,芽胞杆菌是防治水稻病害的重要生防微生物。为揭示芽胞杆菌浸种处理对水稻内生细菌群落结构的影响,采用Illumina MiSeq测序的方法对水稻内生细菌的16S rRNA基因进行测序,剖析了芽胞杆菌浸种处理对不同水稻组织内生细菌的微生态调控作用。结果表明,3种芽胞杆菌浸种处理可以提高水稻根和茎部内生细菌群落的丰富度和均匀度,降低叶部内生细菌群落的丰富度和均匀度,显著增加根部内生细菌群落多样性。变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)是水稻根部和茎部共有优势菌门,厚壁菌门和芽胞杆菌属(Bacillus)是叶部共有优势菌门和属。芽胞杆菌浸种处理显著提高了叶部内生厚壁菌门和芽胞杆菌属的相对丰度,增加了根系和茎部组织内生细菌的分类单元OTU(Operational Taxonomic Units)数量,对叶部组织影响不明显;降低了茎部和叶部中参与各种代谢通路的内生细菌丰度,显著增加了根部参与代谢通路的内生细菌丰度。因此,3种芽胞杆菌浸种处理可以显著改变水稻根部、茎部和叶部内生细菌群落结构,改善水稻生长的微生态环境。     

Enhanced stability of a rumen-derived xylanase using SpyTag/SpyCatcher cyclization

A phosphate solubilizing bacterium ZB was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Araucaria, which falls into the species Pantoea agglomerans. Optimization for phosphate solubilization by strain ZB was performed. At optimum culture conditions, the isolate showed great ability of solubilizing different insoluble inorganic phosphate sources viz. Ca₃(PO₄)₂ (TCP), Hydroxyapatite (HP), CaHPO₄, AlPO₄, FePO₄ along with rock phosphates (RPs). Inoculation with planktonic cells was found to enhance dissolved phosphorous as compared to that achieved by symplasma inoculation. Besides inoculation with different status of cells, pre-incubation could also exert a great effect on phosphate solubilization ability of P. agglomerans. When isolate ZB was cultured with glucose as carbon sources, phosphorous was more efficiently dissolved from HP and RP without pre-incubation in comparison to that obtained with pre-cultivation. Pre-cultivation, however, was more suitable for P solubilization than no pre-cultivation when bacteria were grown with xylose. A positive correlation was detected between the production of organic acids and phosphate solubilization. P. agglomerans ZB possessed many plant growth promotion traits such as N₂ fixation and production of indole 3-acetic acid, phytase, alkaline phosphatase. Pot experiment showed inoculation with single isolate ZB or biofertilizer prepared from semi-solid fermentation of isolate ZB with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) compost could enhance plant growth with respect to number of leaves, plant leave area, stem diameter, root length, root dry mass, shoot dry mass and biomass when compared to the abiotic control, revealing strain ZB could be a promising environmental-friendly biofertilizer to apply for agricultural field.

     

Root colonization and growth enhancement in wheat and tomato by rhizobacteria isolated from the rhizoplane of grasses

Rhizobacteria isolated from the rhizoplane of grasses growing at the Nylsvlei Nature Reserve in South Africa were investigated for growth promotion and root colonization in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under greenhouse and microplot field conditions. The identities of the isolates were determined by means of 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus simplex (KBS1F-3), Bacillus megaterium (NAS7-L), Bacillus cereus (KFP9-F) and Paenibacillus alvei (NAS6G-6). The three Bacillus strains were isolated from the perennial grass Themeda triandra while the Paenibacillus strain was isolated from another perennial grass Sporobolus fimbriatus. Enhanced plant shoot and root weight in wheat was achieved by single inoculation with three of the isolates whereas no significant increase was observed in root length. Combined inoculation of Paenibacillus alvei (NAS6G-6) and Bacillus cereus (KFP9-F) on wheat resulted in significant increase in these parameters. Single inoculations of Bacillus simplex (KBS1F-3) and Bacillus cereus (KFP9-F) resulted in significant increase in root and shoots fresh weight, root dry weight and total root length in tomatoes. Indoleacetic acid production, phosphate solubilization and siderophore secretion were studied as possible mechanisms by which the bacterial isolates enhanced plant growth. Root colonization was studied by means of spontaneous rifampicin resistant strains of the wild type isolates. Except for B. megaterium (NAS7-L), the rest of the isolates colonized the roots efficiently resulting in concentrations of 10⁶–10⁸ cfu g⁻¹ root. The root colonization of Bacillus simplex (KBS1F-3) and Paenibacillus alvei (NAS6G-6) was visualized by confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM) after successful transformation of the isolates with the pNF8 plasmid carrying the gene for the green fluorescent protein (gfp).     

两株生菜根际芽孢杆菌(Bacillus spp.)的分离与特性研究

【目的】从生菜根际土中筛选出2株具有多种生物学特性、促生和生防效果的芽孢杆菌。【方法】土样经过80°C高温处理,得到2株细菌。通过形态学、生理生化、16S rRNA和gyr B基因鉴定菌株。对其溶磷、合成IAA和嗜铁素能力及对植物病原真菌的拮抗作用进行测定。用2株细菌处理生菜种子,评价其促生效果。用菌株WXD 3-2处理小麦,评价其生防效果。【结果】经过鉴定,确定菌株WXD 3-1为巨大芽孢杆菌(Bacillus megaterium),WXD 3-2为枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)。2株菌均有溶磷、合成嗜铁素、IAA能力和促生能力,菌株WXD 3-2能够对多种病原菌产生拮抗作用,抑制其生长。经过WXD 3-1和WXD 3-2处理,生菜植株高、叶片宽、植株鲜重及植株干重与对照相比分别增加21.51%和8.88%、31.93%和14.51%、41.30%和13.58%、42.76%和26.35%。菌株WXD 3-2能够减轻小麦根腐病病症,小麦根部病斑减少。【结论】分离出的2株芽孢杆菌均具有溶磷、合成IAA和嗜铁素能力,能够促进生菜的生长,且菌株WXD 3-2还具有生防效果。     

Plant growth promoting potentials of Pseudomonas spp. strain OG isolated from marine water

Abstract

Bacterium Pseudomonas spp. olive green (OG) was isolated from marine water, yet, it was characterized as plant growth promoting bacterium (PGPB). Multiple plant growth promoting traits of OG isolate were determined in vitro. It was tested positive for Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production with 29 µg ml^?1 of IAA yield, phosphate solubilization with 34 µg ml^?1 solubilization of Tri-calcium-phosphate and it showed maximum of 32 µg ml^?1 of ammonia production. OG isolate was affirming siderophore production, hydrocyanic acid (HCN) production and catalase production. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison was used to identify the isolate which showed its closest neighbor to be Pseudomonas fluoroscens strain BCPBMS-1. Efficacy of this PGPB was tested on the seedling growth of two test plants chickpea and green gram. Both the test plants treated with OG-based talc bioformulation showed significant growth promotion. Chickpea showed enhanced overall fresh biomass by 24%, overall dry biomass by 27% was observed after 15 days of seeded in pots. Green gram showed enhanced overall dry biomass by 28% was observed after 10 days of seeded in pots.     

Azospirillum sp. Promotes Root Hair Development in Tomato Plants through a Mechanism that Involves Ethylene

Tomato seeds were inoculated with the plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria Azospirillum brasilense FT326, and changes in parameters associated with plant growth were evaluated 15 days after inoculation. Azospirilla were localized on roots and within xylematic tissue. An increase in shoot and root fresh weight, main root hair length, and root surface indicated that inoculation with A. brasilense FT 326 resulted in plant growth improvement. The levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and ethylene, two of the phytohormones related to plant growth, were higher in inoculated plants. Exogenously supplied ethylene mimicked the effect of inoculation, and the addition of an inhibitor of its synthesis or of its physiological activity completely blocked A. brasilense growth promotion. Based on our results, we propose that the process of growth promotion triggered by A. brasilense inoculation involves a signaling pathway that has ethylene as a central, positive regulator.     

Growth promotion of Prunus rootstocks by root treatment with specific bacterial strains

A collection of bacterial strains obtained from a wide-range origin was screened for ability to promote growth in two types of Prunus rootstocks in a commercial nursery. Only few strains promoted growth significantly and consistently, and a strong specificity for the rootstock cultivar was observed. Irrigation of plants with Pseudomonas fluorescens EPS282 and Pantoea agglomerans EPS427 significantly increased plant height and root weight of the plum Marianna 2624 and the peach–almond hybrid GF-677, respectively. Plant height showed a higher rate of growth in early stages of development (2.6–3.5 times the non-treated controls), but the effect decreased with plant age. However, in aged plants growth promotion was more significant on root weight (1.9 times the non-treated controls) than on plant height. The efficacy of growth promotion and the persistence of strains in the root environment were dependent on the bacterial inoculum concentration applied. Increases in root development were maximum at inoculum concentrations of up to 8 log₁₀ CFU ml^–1 (ca 10 log₁₀ CFU L^–1 of potting mix). Population levels at the optimum inoculum concentration were around 7 log₁₀ CFU g f.w.^–1 root material at early stages of development and decreased to 4 log₁₀ CFU g f.w.^–1 after several months of development. The best plant growth-promoting strains were very diverse in secondary metabolite production and antagonistic ability against several plant pathogens.     

Multifunctional potential of endophytic and rhizospheric microbial isolates associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Butia purpurascens</Emphasis> roots for promoting plant growth

The functional diversity of endophytic and rhizospheric microorganisms associated with the promotion of plant growth includes increased availability of plant nutrients, phytohormone synthesis and phytopathogen suppression. We used the hypothesis that the unknown root and rhizospheric community associated with the Butia purpurascens palm, an endemic species of the Cerrado, could be composed of microbiota with great functional diversity. Thus, the potential of the isolates of this community for four functional traits was evaluated: solubilization of calcium phosphate (CaHPO₄) and iron phosphate (FePO₄), synthesis of indoleacetic acid (IAA) and suppression of seed- and fruit-spoilage fungi of B. purpurascens. A total of 166 bacterial isolates, most belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria (94%), and 46 fungal isolates (Ascomycota) were tested. None of the isolates showed the four functional traits tested, but 72% presented two traits (CaHPO₄ solubilization and IAA synthesis). Fifteen fungi (27% of the isolates) presented only the trace for IAA, whereas the capacity for antibiosis was observed in only eight bacteria. CaHPO₄-solubilization capacity was evidenced by all bacterial isolates and by some fungal isolates. The functional trait for IAA production was present in all isolates, and production levels were significantly above 100 μg mL^?1 for some bacteria. Isolates of the genus Bacillus efficiently suppressed the growth of spoilage fungi tested, with relative inhibition rates reaching levels higher than 60% when using Bacillus subtilis. These results attest to the multifunctionality of the endophytic and rhizospheric isolates of B. purpurascens for the promotion of plant growth. This is the first study that sought to identify the root endophytic and rhizospheric microbiota associated with the B. purpurascens palm for the bioprospection of species with functional traits related to the promotion of plant growth, thus opening the way for in vivo tests in plants of commercial or ecological interest.     

Effects of inoculation of plant-growth promoting bacteria on Ni uptake by Indian mustard

In this study, among a collection of Ni resistant bacterial strains isolated from serpentine soil, two plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), Ps29C and Bm4C were selected based on their ability to utilize ACC as the sole N source and promote seedling growth in roll towel assay. The Ni resistant PGPB, Ps29C and Bm4C were characterized as Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus megaterium, respectively, on the basis of their 16s rDNA sequences. Assessment of the parameters of plant growth promotion revealed the intrinsic ability of the strains for the production of IAA, siderophore and solubilization of insoluble phosphate. Further, the plant growth promoting activity of Ps29C and Bm4C on the Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) were assessed with different concentrations of Ni in soil. Inoculation of Ps29C or Bm4C promoted plant growth and protected the plant from Ni toxicity. However, the maximum growth was observed in the plants inoculated with strain Bm4C. Inoculation with Ps29C or Bm4C had little influence on the accumulation of Ni in root and shoot system, but produced a much larger aboveground biomass. The present observations showed that the strains Ps29C and Bm4C protect the plants against the inhibitory effects of nickel, probably due to the production of IAA, siderophore and solubilization of phosphate. The above results provided a new insight into the phytoremediation of Ni contaminated soil.