Lanthanum improves salt tolerance of maize seedlings

In this study, the effects of lanthanum were investigated on contents of pigments, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, antioxidative enzymes, and biomass of maize seedlings under salt stress. The results showed that salt stress significantly decreased the contents of Chl and carotenoids, maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), photochemical quenching (q_P), and quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Φ_PSII), net photosynthetic rate (P_N), and biomass. Salt stress increased nonphotochemical quenching (q_N), the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and the contents of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide compared with control. Pretreatment with lanthanum prior to salt stress significantly enhanced the contents of Chl and carotenoids, F_v/F_m, q_P, q_N, Φ_PSII, P_N, biomass, and activities of the above antioxidant enzymes compared with the salt-stressed plants. Pretreatment with lanthanum also significantly reduced the contents of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide induced by salt stress. Our results suggested that lanthanum can improve salt tolerance of maize seedlings by enhancing the function of photosynthetic apparatus and antioxidant capacity.     

Isolation,partial characterization,and the effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on micro-propagated sugarcane in vitro

We report the isolation of nitrogen fixing, phytohormone producing bacteria from sugarcane and their beneficial effects on the growth of micropropagated sugarcane plantlets. Detection of the nitrogen fixing bacteria by ARA-based MPN (acetylene reduction assay-based most probable number) method indicated the presence of up to 10⁶ bacteria per gram dry weight of stem and 10⁷ bacteria per gram dry weight of root of field-grown sugarcane. Two nitrogen fixing bacterial isolates were obtained from stem (SC11, SC20) and two from the roots (SR12, SR13) of field-grown plants. These isolates were identified as Enterobacter sp. strains on the basis of their morphological characteristics and biochemical tests. The isolate SC20 was further characterized by 16S rRNA sequence analysis, which showed high sequence similarity to the sequence of Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella oxytoca. All the isolates produced the phytohormone indoleacetic acid (IAA) in pure culture and this IAA production was enhanced in growth medium containing tryptophan. The bacterial isolates were used to inoculate micro-propagated sugarcane in vitro where maximum increase in the root and shoot weight over control was observed in the plantlets inoculated with strain SC20. By using the¹⁵N isotope dilution technique, maximum nitrogen fixation contribution (28% of total plant nitrogen) was detected in plantlets inoculated with isolate SC20.     

About the action of metabolites of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Bacillus subtilis on plant salt tolerance (I)

To find out the mode of plant tolerance enhancement against salinity by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Bacillus subtilis, metabolites of strains FZB24 and FZB41 were studied in a test system with tomatoes under the influence of high salinity. The culture filtrate (CF) from the fermentative transitional phase, containing the whole range of produced metabolites by B. subtilis, showed to a certain extent tolerance-increasing action at dilution of 0.1% in the test plants with the parameters length, fresh mass and dry mass of shoots and roots as well as leaf area after 7-day treatment and subsequent plant cultivation under high salt stress. Afterwards, the CF was fractionated with adsorber resin and high performance liquid chromatography, and these fractions, as well as fractions from a CF after 19-h fermentation, were also tested with axenic-cultivated tomato seedlings. Fractions with different proteins and peptides, produced by B. subtilis, showed partly activities depending on concentration with regard to plant growth stimulation, including tolerance enhancement against salt stress. Subsequently, also an extract from B. subtilis culture with special concentrated peptides was examined in the axenic plant test system and showed similar activity depending on concentration. The observed effect of the bacterial metabolites is discussed as one part of the mechanism for plant growth stimulation and at the same time salt tolerance, increasing action of the rhizobacterium by its root colonization and interaction with the plant metabolism.     

苎麻促生菌的筛选、鉴定及其促生效应

【目的】以苎麻(Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud)根及根围土壤为研究材料,进行苎麻促生菌的筛选,并初步探索其促生作用机制。【方法】首先,以溶磷和解钾为基本筛选标准,初筛菌株在实验室条件下测定多项促生能力进行复筛;然后通过种子萌发、盆栽试验测定菌株对苎麻的促生效应,最后,通过形态观察、生理生化特性和16S rRNA基因序列同源性分析,对促生菌株进行分类学鉴定。【结果】从苎麻根和根围土壤中分离得到了13株菌同时具备溶磷和解钾能力,其中4株菌(RA-2、RAM-2、RAM-5和RAM-6)具备产铁载体、产IAA和产氨能力。种子萌发和盆栽试验的测定结果显示：4株菌株均能促进苎麻种子的萌发和植株的生长,其中菌株RA-2和RAM-5相比于对照处理能显著提高苎麻种子的萌发率、幼根长、株高和根系干重。分类鉴定结果显示菌株RA-2和RAM-5均属于伯克霍德菌属(Burkholderia)。【结论】从苎麻根围筛选到具有促生能力的菌株,为进一步开发研制苎麻专型促生菌剂或专型微生物有机肥提供资源。     

Biopriming of maize seeds with plant growth-promoting bacteria isolated from the earthworm Aporrectodea molleri: effect on seed germination and seedling growth

Earthworms have become a potential source of multi-beneficial bacteria and effective bioinoculants. Seed biopriming is an efficient inoculation method to apply bacteria prior to sowing, which enhances the chances of bacterial candidates to colonize the rhizosphere and/or establish a liaison with the plant. In this study, we evaluated plant growth-promoting traits of bacterial strains isolated from the earthworm’s Aporrectodea molleri chloragogenous tissue. In addition, we investigated their prospective use as biopriming agents to enhance Zea mays germination and seedling growth. Results were subjected to principal component analysis for potential correlations between the studied parameters. The bacterial strains displayed different in vitro plant growth-promoting characteristics and were efficient when applied in vivo as they significantly increased maize germination rate (26–78%), root elongation (67–84%), seedlings fresh weight and dry weight. Aeromonas encheleia TC22 was the most significant strain to influence germination due to its high ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid, and along with Pseudomonas azotoformans TC1, they were the most proficient at enhancing seedling root elongation and biomass, which was significantly correlated with their in vitro plant growth-promoting traits. Our findings indicate that isolates TC22 and TC1 are potent bio-primers for maize seeds and should be tested further for their use as biopriming inoculants.     

Role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and their exopolysaccharide in drought tolerance of maize

The present study deals with the isolation and characterization of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from arid and semiarid regions of Pakistan, and to investigate the drought tolerance potential of these PGPR on maize when used as bioinoculant alone and in combination with their respective EPS. Three bacterial strains Proteus penneri (Pp1), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa2), and Alcaligenes faecalis (AF3) were selected as EPS-producing bacteria on the basis of mucoid colony formation. All these strains were gram negative, motile, and positive for catalase. Strain Pp1 was positive for oxidase test and was phosphate solubilizing, while Pa2 and AF3 were negative. The isolated strains were sequenced using 16SrRNA. Total soluble sugar, protein, uronic acid, emulsification activity, and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy of EPS were determined. Drought stress had significant adverse effects on growth of maize seedlings. Seed bacterization of maize with EPS-producing bacterial strains in combination with their respective EPS improved soil moisture contents, plant biomass, root and shoot length, and leaf area. Under drought stress, the inoculated plants showed increase in relative water content, protein, and sugar though the proline content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were decreased. The Pa2 strain isolated from semiarid region was most potent PGPR under drought stress. Consortia of inocula and their respective EPS showed greater potential to drought tolerance compared to PGPR inocula used alone.     

四株红树林促生菌的遗传分析鉴定及其促生能力

【目的】鉴定四株供试菌株的种属地位,了解菌株所具有的促进植物生长能力。【方法】运用nifH与16S rRNA基因序列对供试菌株进行遗传分析,采用钼锑抗比色法和乙炔还原法分别测定菌株的溶磷、固氮能力。通过接种试验验证菌株促进红树植物生长的能力。【结果】通过对菌株nifH与16S rRNA的同源性、系统发育树分析,HN011与需钠弧菌(Vibrio natriegens)的相似性最高,SZ7-1、SZ7-2与产酸克雷伯氏菌(Klebsiella oxytoca)的相似性最高。而SZ002在16S rRNA的系统发育分析中归属为类芽孢杆菌属(Paenibacillus sp.),却在nifH基因分析中与克雷伯氏菌(Klebsiella sp.)的相似性最高。供试菌株都具有较强的溶磷能力和高固氮酶活性。接种后植株有较好的生长表现,部分接种植株在干重、全氮、全磷含量等方面较对照有显著地增加(P0.05)。【结论】首次发现兼具溶磷-固氮两种能力的红树林植物促生菌,接种试验也表现菌株具有良好的促生能力,为红树林人工接种促生菌的应用提供了可靠的理论依据。     

Isolation of ACC deaminase-producing habitat-adapted symbiotic bacteria associated with halophyte Limonium sinense (Girard) Kuntze and evaluating their plant growth-promoting activity under salt stress

Background and aims

Many plant growth-promoting endophytes (PGPE) possessing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity can reduce the level of stress ethylene and assist their host plants cope with various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, information about the endophytic bacteria colonizing in the coastal halophytes is still very scarce. This study aims at isolating efficient ACC deaminase-producing plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacterial strains from the inner tissues of a traditional Chinese folk medicine Limonium sinense (Girard) Kuntze, a halophyte which has high economic and medicinal values grown in the coastal saline soils. Their PGP activity and effects on host seed germination and seedling growth under salinity stress were also evaluated.

Methods

A total of 126 isolates were obtained from the surface sterilized roots, stems and leaves of L. sinense (Girard) Kuntze. They were initially selected for their ability to produce ACC deaminase as well as other PGP properties such as production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), N₂-fixation, and phosphate-solubilizing activities and subsequently identified by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing. For selected strains, seed germination, seedling growth, and flavonoids production in axenically growth L. sinense (Girard) Kuntze seedlings at different NaCl concentrations (0–500 mM) were quantified.

Results

Thirteen isolates possessing ACC deaminase activity were obtained. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed them to belong to eight genera: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Serratia, Arthrobacter, Streptomyces, Isoptericola, and Microbacterium. Inoculation with four of the selected ACC deaminase-producing strains not only stimulated the growth of the host plant but also influenced the flavonoids accumulation. All four strains could colonize and can be re-isolated from the host plant interior tissues.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that ACC deaminase-producing habitat-adapted symbiotic bacteria isolated from halophyte could enhance plant growth under saline stress conditions and the PGPE strains could be appropriate as bioinoculants to enhance soil fertility and protect the plants against salt stress.     

Benzimidazole nucleoside analogues as inhibitors of plant (maize seedling) casein kinases

Halogeno benzimidazole and benzimidazole nucleoside analogues have been screened for inhibitory activity vs. purified plant (maize seedling) casein kinases I, IIA and IIB, and the results compared with those previously reported for some of the compounds as inhibitors of the corresponding mammalian CK-1 and CK-2 (Meggio et al. (1990) Eur. J. Biochem. 187, 89-94). One new analogue, the riboside of 5,7-dibromobenzimidazole, which is sterically constrained to the anti conformation about the glycosidic bond, and is a good inhibitor, exhibited appreciable (5-7-fold) discrimination between the type I and type II enzymes. An increase in the number of halogen substituents on the benzene ring of benzimidazole from two to three led to marked enhancement of inhibitory activity, particularly against the type II enzymes, with a decrease in Ki from 24 to 4 microM. The 2-aza analogue of 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole, i.e. 5,6-dichlorobenzotriazole, as the free base, even more effectively discriminated between the two types of plant casein kinases, with Ki approximately 100 microM for CK-I, and Ki approximately 9 microM for CK-IIA and CK-IIB. Inhibition in all instances was competitive with respect to ATP (for CK-I), and ATP and GTP (for CK-IIA and CK-IIB). The results are compared with those for halogenated isoquinolinesulfonamide inhibitors reported by Chijiwa et al. (J. Biol. Chem. (1989) 264, 4924-4927), leading to proposals for the synthesis of potentially more effective and more discriminating inhibitors. Attention is drawn to the significant role of the halogen substituents in the mechanism(s) of action of the structurally related benzimidazole, benzotriazole and naphthalene and isoquinoline, inhibitors of protein kinases.     

镉污染水稻种子内生细菌的分离及其耐镉性和植物促生性研究

[目的]植物内生细菌在促进植物生长和重金属污染土壤修复中发挥着重要作用.本研究对镉污染水稻种子内生细菌进行分离和功能鉴定,从而确定其镉耐受性、植物促生性以及对镉胁迫下水稻种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响.[方法]采用乙醇-次氯酸钠联合灭菌法对水稻种子进行表面灭菌,采用标准平板培养法对内生细菌进行分离、纯化;对菌株16S rRN...     

A teosinte-derived allele of an HKT1 family sodium transporter improves salt tolerance in maize

The sodium cation (Na⁺) is the predominant cation with deleterious effects on crops in salt-affected agricultural areas. Salt tolerance of crop can be improved by increasing shoot Na⁺ exclusion. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and use genetic variants of various crops that promote shoot Na⁺ exclusion. Here, we show that a HKT1 family gene ZmNC3 (Zea mays L. Na⁺ Content 3; designated ZmHKT1;2) confers natural variability in shoot-Na⁺ accumulation and salt tolerance in maize. ZmHKT1;2 encodes a Na⁺-preferential transporter localized in the plasma membrane, which mediates shoot Na⁺ exclusion, likely by withdrawing Na⁺ from the root xylem flow. A naturally occurring nonsynonymous SNP (SNP947-G) increases the Na⁺ transport activity of ZmHKT1;2, promoting shoot Na⁺ exclusion and salt tolerance in maize. SNP947-G first occurred in the wild grass teosinte (at a allele frequency of 43%) and has become a minor allele in the maize population (allele frequency 6.1%), suggesting that SNP947-G is derived from teosinte and that the genomic region flanking SNP947 likely has undergone selection during domestication or post-domestication dispersal of maize. Moreover, we demonstrate that introgression of the SNP947-G ZmHKT1;2 allele into elite maize germplasms reduces shoot Na⁺ content by up to 80% and promotes salt tolerance. Taken together, ZmNC3/ZmHKT1;2 was identified as an important QTL promoting shoot Na⁺ exclusion, and its favourable allele provides an effective tool for developing salt-tolerant maize varieties.     

Isolation and characterization of endophytic plant growth-promoting (PGPB) or stress homeostasis-regulating (PSHB) bacteria associated to the halophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis strombulifera</Emphasis>

This study was designed to isolate and characterize endophytic bacteria from halophyte Prosopis strombulifera grown under extreme salinity and to evaluate in vitro the bacterial mechanisms related to plant growth promotion or stress homeostasis regulation. Isolates obtained from P. strombulifera were compared genotypically by BOX-polymerase chain reaction, grouped according to similarity, and identified by amplification and partial sequences of 16S DNAr. Isolates were grown until exponential growth phase to evaluate the atmospheric nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophores, and phytohormones, such as indole-3-acetic acid, zeatin, gibberellic acid and abscisic acid production, as well as antifungal, protease, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity. A total of 29 endophytic strains were grouped into seven according to similarity. All bacteria were able to grow and to produce some phytohormone in chemically defined medium with or without addition of a nitrogen source. Only one was able to produce siderophores, and none of them solubilized phosphate. ACC deaminase activity was positive for six strains. Antifungal and protease activity were confirmed for two of them. In this work, we discuss the possible implications of these bacterial mechanisms on the plant growth promotion or homeostasis regulation in natural conditions.     

Endophytic bacterium Bacillus subtilis (BERA 71) improves salt tolerance in chickpea plants by regulating the plant defense mechanisms

Plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria can stimulate the growth, nutrient acquisition, symbiotic performance and stress tolerance of chickpea plants under saline soil conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the stress-adaptive mechanisms of chickpea plants mediated by Bacillus subtilis (BERA 71) under saline conditions. Inoculation with BERA 71 enhanced plant biomass and the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation in plants under conditions of stress. Furthermore, the activities of ROS-scavenging antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase), the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbic acid and glutathione) and the total phenol content were increased in stressed plants during bacterial association. The bacteria decreased sodium accumulation and enhanced the nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium content in the plants. The suppression of ROS generation and of lipid peroxidation and the accumulation of proline in BERA-71-inoculated plants enhanced the membrane stability under salinity stress and non-stress conditions.     

Inoculants of plant growth-promoting bacteria for use in agriculture

An assessment of the current state of bacterial inoculants for contemporary agriculture in developed and developing countries is critically evaluated from the point of view of their actual status and future use. Special emphasis is given to two new concepts of inoculation, as yet unavailable commercially: (i) synthetic inoculants under development for plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) (Bashan and Holguin, 1998), and (ii) inoculation by groups of associated bacteria.This review contains: A brief historical overview of bacterial inoculants; the rationale for plant inoculation with emphasis on developing countries and semiarid agriculture, and the concept and application of mixed inoculant; discussion of microbial formulation including optimization of carrier-compound characteristics, types of existing carriers for inoculants, traditional formulations, future trends in formulations using unconventional materials, encapsulated synthetic formulations, macro and micro formulations of alginate, encapsulation of beneficial bacteria using other materials, regulation and contamination of commercial inoculants, and examples of modern commercial bacterial inoculants; and a consideration of time constraints and application methods for bacterial inoculants, commercial production, marketing, and the prospects of inoculants in modern agriculture.     

Encapsulation of plant growth-promoting bacteria in alginate beads enriched with humic acid

The key to achieving successful, reproducible results following the introduction of beneficial microbes into soil relies on the survival rate of the inoculated bacteria in a heterogeneous soil environment and hence an improved encapsulation method was developed. Owing to the constraints associated with the inoculum formulation, in this study, encapsulation of a plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) isolate Bacillus subtilis CC-pg104 was attempted with alginate by enriching the bead microenvironment with humic acid. High viability of the encapsulated bacteria was observed with minimum cell loss upon storage for 5 months. Steady and constant cell release from the bead was observed for 1 week at different pH. Encapsulated cells remained active as evidenced by their ability to solubilize calcium phosphate in vitro. Successful plant growth promotion of lettuce by the encapsulated bacteria under gnotobiotic and sterile environment was also achieved. Feasibility of this improved encapsulation technique is mainly due to the dual benefits of humic acid to microbe and plant and its chemical properties allowing an easy mixing with alginate without interfering in the formation of the alginate gel beads by cross-linking with Ca2+ ions. Thus, the encapsulation method described in this study can be effectively used to protect the PGPB inoculum from adverse conditions of the soil for their successful establishment in the rhizosphere.     

Characterization of plant growth-promoting bacteria associated with rice cropped in iron-stressed soils

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are able to promote plant growth using a wide variety of mechanisms as well as provide bioprotection against biotic and abiotic stresses. The objectives of this study were to isolate and characterize putative PGPR associated with rice cultivars with a distinct tolerance to iron toxicity grown in two areas: one area with a well-established history of iron toxicity and another without iron toxicity. Bacterial strains were selectively isolated based on their growth in selective media and were identified by partial sequencing of their 16S rRNA genes. Bacterial isolates were evaluated for their ability to produce indolic compounds, siderophores, and ACC deaminase and to solubilize tricalcium phosphates. In vitro biological nitrogen fixation was evaluated for the bacterial isolates used in the inoculation experiments. A total of 329 bacterial strains were isolated. The composition of the bacterial genera and the occurrence of different plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits were significantly affected by the iron conditions and by the cultivar. Strains belonging to the Burkholderia and Enterobacter genera were the most abundant of all the Gram-negative isolates, and those belonging to the Paenibacillus and Bacillus genera were the most abundant of the Gram-positive isolates. A large number of putative PGPR belonging to different bacterial genera presented several PGP traits. Strains belonging to the Burkholderia, Chryseobacterium, and Ochrobactrum genera contributed to plant growth as well as to enhanced nutrient uptake of the rice plants in in vivo experiments. Growth and nutrient uptake of plants inoculated with isolate FeS53 (Paenibacillus sp.) in the presence of an iron excess were similar to those of plants submitted to the control iron condition, indicating that this bacterium can mitigate the effects caused by iron stress.     

Application of silicon improves salt tolerance through ameliorating osmotic and ionic stresses in the seedling of Sorghum bicolor

Silicon has been widely reported to have a beneficial effect on improving plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the mechanisms of silicon in mediating stress responses are still poorly understood. Sorghum is classified as a silicon accumulator and is relatively sensitive to salt stress. In this study, we investigated the short-term application of silicon on growth, osmotic adjustment and ion accumulation in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) under salt stress. The application of silicon alone had no effects upon sorghum growth, while it partly reversed the salt-induced reduction in plant growth and photosynthesis. Meanwhile, the osmotic potential was lower and the turgor pressure was higher than that without silicon application under salt stress. The osmolytes, the sucrose and fructose levels, but not the proline, were significantly increased, as well as Na⁺ concentration was decreased in silicon-treated plants under salt stress. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of silicon on improving salt tolerance under short-term treatment are attributed to the alleviating of salt-induced osmotic stress and as well as ionic stress simultaneously.