MOBILIZATION OF POTASSIUM FROM WASTE MICA BY PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA AND ITS ASSIMILATION BY MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) AND WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.): A HYDROPONICS STUDY UNDER PHYTOTRON GROWTH CHAMBER

A hydroponics study was carried out to evaluate the effect of three plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) namely, Bacillus mucilaginosus, Azotobacter chroococcum, and Rhizobium spp. on their ability to mobilize potassium from waste mica using maize and wheat as the test crops under a phytotron growth chamber. Results revealed that PGPR significantly improved the assimilation of potassium by both maize and wheat, where waste mica was the sole source of potassium. This was translated into higher biomass accumulation, potassium content and uptake by plants as well as chlorophyll and crude protein content in plant tissue. Among the rhizobacteria, Bacillus mucilaginosus resulted in significantly higher mobilization of potassium than Azotobacter chroococcum and Rhizobium inoculation. Overall, inoculation of maize and wheat plants with these bacteria could be used to mobilize potassium from waste mica, which in turn could be used as a source of potassium for plant growth.     

Changes in Nutrient Status During Preparation of Enriched Organomineral Fertilizers Using Rice Straw,Low‐Grade Rock Phosphate,Waste Mica,and Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism

An experiment was carried out to study the changes in nutrient contents during preparation of enriched organomineral fertilizers using rice straw, low‐grade rock phosphate (RP), waste mica, and phosphate‐solubilizing microorganism (Aspergillus awamori). Composting reduced the total carbon (C) but increased total nitrogen (N) content with the progress of composting. This was reflected in the decrease of the C/N ratio. Significant increases in total phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were also observed where both RP and waste mica was added along with Aspergillus awamori. Ammonium N (NH₄ ⁺‐N) decreased while nitrate N (NO₃ ^?‐N) increased at the end of composting. Olsen P content increased up to 90 days, thereafter decreased up to day 150, whereas ammonium acetate K (NH₄OAc‐K) increased gradually with the progress of composting. The study thus revealed that crop residue could be converted into a value‐added product through composting technology using low‐grade rock phosphate and waste mica along with phosphate‐solubilizing microorganisms.     

Waste silicate minerals as potassium sources: a greenhouse study on spring barley

After 1989, the use of potassium (K) mineral fertilizers in the Czech Republic dropped from ～55 kg K ha^?1 to a mean rate of ～6.5 kg in the last decade. In order to test alternative solutions for K fertilization, the trioctahedral mica mineral zinnwaldite (8% K), orthoclase (10% K) and waste mica from Cínovec (Kru?né Hory Mts/Erzgebirge, Czech Republic), consisting primarily of zinnwaldite, were applied as the only K sources for spring barley. The minerals were treated in three different types of high-energy mills under different working conditions. Application rates in the range 139–820 mg K kg^?1 were tested in quartz sand cultures. In all treatments, plant growth, total plant biomass and the K content in the plant tissues increased in the order zinnwaldite > waste mica > orthoclase. K fractionation and K plant uptake were significantly influenced by the milling method used. The effect of 195 mg K kg^?1 as zinnwaldite on K uptake from K-depleted soils was positive; however, it was smaller than in sand cultures because of the relatively high content of non-exchangeable K in the soils. Direct use of waste mica as a K fertilizer is limited by the increased fluorine and heavy metal content.     

胶冻样芽孢杆菌与生物质炭复配及对番茄产量和品质的影响

以提高胶冻样芽孢杆菌在土壤中的存活率、减缓其衰亡速率,延长存活时间,提高其对土壤难溶性钾的解钾效率为目的,利用不同种类的秸秆生物质炭与胶冻样芽孢杆菌进行复配筛选。通过室内培养试验发现,中性小麦秸秆炭可作为胶冻样芽孢杆菌较理想的载体。当土壤培养35天后,土壤速效钾含量在施用炭基解钾菌肥条件下较空白提高了28.53%,较小麦秸秆炭和纯菌液处理分别提高了20.75%、13.41%。纯菌液处理土壤中胶冻样芽孢杆菌的菌落数从1.1×10~9个/g土降为9.0×10~5个/g土,而炭基解钾菌肥处理则为1.4×10~7个/g土。田间施用炭基解钾菌肥能够提高番茄植株和果实中的全钾含量;提高番茄产量和品质,显著提高番茄Vc含量,降低硝酸盐含量。因此,中性小麦秸秆炭与胶冻样芽孢杆菌的复配能够提高菌剂的存活率,有效促进土壤中矿物态钾的释放。     

Effects of co-inoculation of Bradyrhizobium japonicum SAY3-7 and Streptomyces griseoflavus P4 on plant growth,nodulation, nitrogen fixation,nutrient uptake,and yield of soybean in a field condition

ABSTRACT

Co-inoculation of nitrogen-fixing bacteria with plant growth-promoting bacteria has become more popular than single inoculation of rhizobia or plant-growth-promoting bacteria because of the synergy of these bacteria in increasing soybean yield and nitrogen fixation. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Bradyrhizobium japonicum SAY3-7 and Streptomyces griseoflavus P4 co-inoculation on plant growth, nodulation, nitrogen fixation, nutrient uptake, and seed yield of the ‘Yezin-6’ soybean cultivar. Nitrogen fixation was measured using the acetylene reduction assay and ureide methods. Uptake of major nutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)] was also measured. This study showed that single inoculation of SAY3-7 significantly increased shoot biomass; nodulation; Relative Ureide Index (RUI %), percent nitrogen derived from N fixation (% Ndfa); N, P, K, Ca, and Mg uptakes; during the later growth stages (R3.5 and R5.5), compared with control. These observations indicate that SAY3-7 is an effective N-fixing bacterium for the plant growth, nodulation, and nitrogen fixation with an ability to compete with native bradyrhizobia. Co-inoculation of SAY3-7 and P4 significantly improved nodule number; nodule dry weight; shoot and root biomass; N fixation; N, P, K, Ca, and Mg uptake; at various growth stages and seed yield in ‘Yezin-6’ soybean cultivar compared with the control, but not the single inoculation treatments. Significant differences in plant growth, nodulation, N fixation, nutrient uptake, and yield between co-inoculation and control, not between single inoculation and control, suggest that there is a synergetic effect due to co-inoculation of SAY3-7 and P4. Therefore, we conclude that Myanmar Bradyrhizobium strain SAY3-7 and P4 will be useful as effective inoculants in biofertilizer production in the future.     

Synergistic effects of the inoculation with nitrogen‐fixing and phosphate‐solubilizing rhizobacteria on the performance of field‐grown chickpea

The synergistic effects of nitrogen‐fixing and phosphate‐solubilizing rhizobacteria on plant growth, yield, grain protein, and nutrient uptake of chickpea plants were determined in a sandy clay‐loam soil. Legume grain yield and concentration and uptake of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were significantly increased as a result of co‐inoculation with Mesorhizobium and P‐solubilizing Pseudomonas and Bacillus spp. The inoculation with M. ciceri RC4 + A. chroococuum A10 + Bacillus PSB9 tripled the seed yield and resulted in highest grain protein (295 mg g^–1) at 145 d after sowing (DAS). An 8% increase in P concentration above the uninoculated control was observed in case of a single inoculation with Pseudomonas PSB 5, while the P uptake was highest (2.14‐fold above the uninoculated control) with a combined inoculation with [M. ciceri RC4 + A. chroococcum A10 + Bacillus PSB 9] at 145 DAS. The highest N concentration and N uptake at 145 DAS (81% and 16% above the uninoculated control, respectively) were observed with the triple inoculation of [M. ciceri RC4 + A. chroococcum A10 + Pseudomonas PSB 5). These findings show that multiple inoculations with rhizospheric microorganisms can promote plant growth and grain yield and increase concentrations and uptake of N and P by field‐grown chickpea.     

胶质芽孢杆菌与苜蓿根瘤菌双接种对排土场紫花苜蓿生长和土壤性质的影响

为了明确胶质芽孢杆菌和苜蓿根瘤菌在矿区排土场复垦中的协同作用,以矿区排土场土壤作为基质进行盆栽试验,设置两菌单接种处理、双接种处理及对照,其中胶质芽孢杆菌和苜蓿根瘤菌用量分别为1.50%和0.25%,测定紫花苜蓿产量指标、叶片生理指标、土壤速效养分含量和土壤微生物指标。结果表明,接种胶质芽孢杆菌和苜蓿根瘤菌的各处理均能显著提高紫花苜蓿的产量指标,其中以双接种处理效果最优,将生物量和结瘤量分别比对照显著提高110.27%和124.32%;在生理指标方面,双接种处理效果低于单接种处理,未表现出协同作用;在土壤养分和微生物性质方面,单接种胶质芽孢杆菌仅显著提高土壤速效钾含量,单接种苜蓿根瘤菌对大部分指标均有显著效果,而双接种处理效果最佳,土壤碱解氮、速效钾含量比对照分别显著提高94.14%和84.55%,土壤微生物指标MBC含量、呼吸强度、蔗糖酶、脲酶、磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶活性比对照分别显著提高204.02%,65.86%,212.32%,91.87%,30.57%,51.87%。双接种处理对紫花苜蓿产量指标、养分和微生物指标表现出显著的协同作用。因此,1.50%用量胶质芽孢杆菌和0.25%用量苜蓿根瘤菌双接种能够有效提高排土场土壤的复垦效果,具有协同作用,可以作为矿区排土场复垦的高效方法。     

Unbalanced nutrient ratios in pelleted compound recycling fertilizers

The aim of this study was to contribute to the development of pelleted compound recycling fertilizers with favourable handling and spreading characteristics and balanced nutrient ratios by combining nitrogen (N)‐ and phosphorus (P)‐rich waste resources (meat bone meal, fish sludge or food waste) with potassium (K)‐rich bottom wood ash. Pelleted compound recycling fertilizers with good durability and low dusting tendency were produced by roll‐pelleting preheated waste resources at a suitable moisture content. However, the nutrient ratios in the final products were insufficiently balanced, with too low N concentrations relative to P and K to meet crop demands. In a bioassay using barley (Hordeum vulgare ) and a nutrient‐deficient sand/peat mixture, the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE ) of pelleted compound recycling fertilizers and reference recycling fertilizers was 22–42% of that of mineral compound fertilizer. Growth limitation was due to reduced N availability (mineral fertilizer equivalent ‐ MFE = 35–57%) or reduced P availability (MFE  = 20–115%), with the greatest P fertilizer value obtained for digestate based on dairy manure and fish sludge. Availability of K in bottom wood ash was masked by the experimental soil.     

Effect of P‐solubilizing Azotobacter chroococcum on N,P, K uptake in P‐responsive wheat genotypes grown under greenhouse conditions

Natural and mutant strains of A. chroococcum were isolated from Indian soils. Their ability to dissolve phosphate and their phytohormone production were tested under in vitro conditions. In addition the effect of bacterial inoculation of Azotobacter on N, P, K uptake by three P responsive wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) under greenhouse conditions at five nutrient levels (Control, 90 kg N ha^—1, 90 kg N + 26 kg P ha^—1, 120 kg N ha^—1 and 120 kg N + 26 kg P ha^—1) was studied. In vitro phosphate solubilization and growth hormone production by mutant strains was more than by the soil isolates. Inoculation of wheat varieties with the soil isolates and mutant strains of A. chroococcum showed greater NPK uptakes as compared with parent soil isolates. Mutant strains M15 and M37 were proved to be the most effective for all three wheat varieties with regard to NPK uptake as well as root biomass production under greenhouse conditions.     

Growth Promotion and Increased Potassium Uptake of Tobacco by Potassium-Mobilizing Bacterium Frateuria aurantia Grown at Different Potassium Levels in Vertisols

Potassium-mobilizing bacterial strain Frateuria aurantia was examined for plant-growth-promoting effects and nutrient uptake on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) grown in vertisols as a field experiment for two crop seasons, 2009–2010 and 2010–2011. Inoculation with bacterial strain Frateuria aurantia was found to increase biomass, nutrient content, and leaf quality of flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco. Bacterial strain F. aurantia was able to enhance potassium uptake efficiently in tobacco plants when sulfate of potash was added to the soil. In tobacco, the ultimate product is the leaf that is consumed and has commercial value. In tobacco-growing soils treated with soluble potassium and inoculated with strain F. aurantia, the potassium content of the leaf was increased by 39%. Bacterial inoculation also resulted in greater nitrogen and phosphorus contents of aboveground plant components. The bacterial isolate was also able to colonize and develop in the rhizosphere soil of tobacco after root inoculation. Solubilization of potassium containing minerals by potassium-mobilizing bacteria in vertisols and their effect on tobacco plant growth, yield, and quality are reported in this study.     

The Effect of Phosphorus,Mucuna, and Nitrogen on the Biomass,Leaf Area Index,and Foliar Nutrient Content of Maize on a Depleted Sandy Loam Soil in Zimbabwe

Sufficient nutrient levels in leaves of crops have substantial effects on plant growth, development, and grain yield, as it is a fundamental constituent of many leaf cell components. The effect of phosphorus (P), mucuna management options, and nitrogen (N) on the biomass, leaf area index (LAI) and leaf nutrient content of maize on a depleted sandy loam soil in Zimbabwe were investigated. The experimental design was a split-split-plot with two P rates, four mucuna management options, and four N treatments (applied to a subsequent maize crop). Biomass, LAI, and foliar N, P, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in the subsequent maize crop were determined. A significant three-way interaction (P < 0.05) between mucuna management options, N rates, and time was observed in terms of biomass production and all nutrients in the leaves of the subsequent maize crop.     

Enhancement of Nodulation and Yield of Chickpea by Co-inoculation of Indigenous Mesorhizobium spp. and Plant Growth–Promoting Rhizobacteria in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

We study the effect of plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) along with Mesorhizobium sp. BHURC02 on nodulation, plant growth, yield, and nutrient content of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under field conditions. A similar study has been conducted for nodulation and plant growth of chickpea in pot experiment under glasshouse conditions. The treatment combination of Mesorhizobium sp. BHURC02 and Pseudomonas fluorescens BHUPSB06 statistically significantly increased nodule number plant^–1, dry weight of nodule plant^–1, and root and shoot dry weights plant^–1 over the control under a glasshouse experiment. The maximum significant increase in nodule number, dry matter, and nutrient content were recorded in co-inoculation of Mesorhizobium sp. BHURC02 and P. fluorescens BHUPSB06 followed by co-inoculation of Mesorhizobium sp., Azotobacter chroococcum, and Bacillus megatrium BHUPSB14 over uninoculated control in a 2-year field study. Hence, co-inoculation of Mesorhizobium sp. and P. fluorescens may be effective indigenous PGPR for chickpea production.     

Growth Promotion of Maize (Zea mays L.) by Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria under Field Conditions

Plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in plant health and soil fertility. The experiment was conducted as factorial experiment with two factors of Azospirillum and Azotobacter. The bacterial strains were Azospirillum lipoferum s-21, A. brasilense DSM 1690, A. lipoferum DSM 1691, Azotobacter chroococcum s-5, and A. chroococcum DSM 2286. The results indicated that growth promotion by PGPR appears from early stages of growth, 45 days after inoculation (DAI). Beneficial effects of bacterial inoculation on ear growth were observed after 75 DAI. Inoculation with PGPR increased dry weights of leaf, stem, and grain and hence total biomass sampled at 90, 105, and 120 (harvest time) DAI. The greatest grain weight was produced by Azospirillum s-21 inoculation. Dual inoculation with Azotobacter s-5 + Azospirillum s-21 significantly increased total dry weight up to 115%. Results of this study showed that leaf area index and crop growth index were significantly affected by bacterial treatments.     

Isolation and identification of potassium-solubilizing bacteria from tobacco rhizospheric soil and their effect on tobacco plants

Soil potassium supplementation relies heavily on the use of chemical fertilizer, which has a considerable negative impact on the environment. Potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) could serve as inoculants. They convert insoluble potassium in the soil into a form that plants can access. This is a promising strategy for the improvement of plant absorption of potassium and so reducing the use of chemical fertilizer. The objectives of this study were to isolate and characterize tobacco KSB and to evaluate the effects of inoculation with selected KSB strains on tobacco seedlings. Twenty-seven KSB strains were isolated and identified through the comparison of the 16S ribosomal DNA. Among them, 17 strains belonged to Klebsiella variicola, 2 strains belonged to Enterobacter cloacae, 2 strains belonged to Enterobacter asburiae, and the remaining 6 strains belonged to Enterobacter aerogenes, Pantoea agglomerans, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Microbacterium foliorum, Myroides odoratimimus, and Burkholderia cepacia, respectively. All isolated KSB strains were capable of solubilizing K-feldspar powder in solid and liquid media. K. variicola occurred at the highest frequency with 18 strains. Four isolates, GL7, JM3, XF4, and XF11, were selected for a greenhouse pot experiment because of their pronounced K-solubilizing capabilities. After being treated with the four KSB strains, plant dry weight and uptake of both K and nitrogen (N) by tobacco seedlings increased significantly. These increases were higher with the combination of KSB inoculation and K-feldspar powder addition. Isolate XF11 showed the most pronounced beneficial effect on plant growth and nutrient uptake by tobacco seedlings. Combining the inoculation of KSB and the addition of K-feldspar powder could be a promising alternative to commercial K fertilizer and may help maintain the availability of soil nutrients. Further studies are necessary to determine the effects of these bacterial strains on mobilization of potassium-bearing minerals under field conditions.     

Interactive Effect of Rhizotrophic Microorganisms on Growth,Yield, and Nutrient Uptake of Wheat

The interactive effect of rhizotrophic microorganisms on growth, yield, and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was determined in a pot experiment using sterilized soil deficient in available phosphorus (P). Positive effect on plant vigor, nutrient uptake, and yield in wheat plants was recorded in the treatment receiving mixed inoculum of nitrogen-fixing Azotobacter chroococcum + phosphate solubilizing microorganism (PSM) Pseudomonas striata + arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum. The available P status of the soil improved significantly (P ≤ 0.5) following triple inoculation with A. chroococcum, P. striata, and G. fasciculatum. The residual nitrogen (N) content of the soil did not change appreciably among the treatments. Addition of Penicillium variable to single- or double-inoculation treatments negatively affected the measured parameters. The population of A. chroococcum, PSM, percentage root infection, and spore density of the AM fungus in inoculated treatments increased at 80 days of wheat growth. The present finding showed that rhizotrophic microorganisms can interact positively in promoting plant growth, as well as N and P uptake, of wheat plants, leading to improved yield.     

Field‐scale potassium and phosphorus fluxes in the bioenergy crop switchgrass: Theoretical energy yields and management implications

Our understanding of how mineral nutrition affects productivity and composition of bioenergy crops grown on marginal lands remains fragmented and incomplete despite world‐wide interest in using herbaceous biomass as an energy feedstock. Our aim was to determine switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass production and maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield on marginal soils used previously to evaluate the effect of soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertility on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) forage production. Grain yield of maize was reduced on P‐ and/or K‐limited plots that also impaired alfalfa forage yield, whereas switchgrass biomass yields were high even in plots possessing very low available P (4 mg kg^–1) and K (< 70 mg kg^–1) levels. Linear‐plateau regression models effectively described the relationship of soil test P and K to tissue P and K concentrations, and tissue P and K concentrations accurately predicted removal of P and K in harvest biomass. However, neither soil‐test P and K, nor tissue P and K concentrations were effective as diagnostics for predicting switchgrass biomass yield nor could soil tests and their change with cropping predict nutrient removal. Concentrations of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and ash were not influenced by P and K nutrition. Predicted bio‐ethanol production was closely associated with biomass yield whereas high biomass K concentrations reduced estimated bio‐oil production per hectare by as much as 50%. Additional research is needed to identify diagnostics and managements to meet the bioenergy production co‐objectives of having high yield of biomass with very low mineral nutrient concentrations (especially K) while sustaining and improving the fertility of marginal soils.     

Interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and mycorrhizosphere bacteria during mineral weathering: Budget analysis and bacterial quantification

The impact of ectomycorrhizal fungi or rhizosphere bacteria on tree seedling growth and nutrient uptake is well known. However, few studies have combined those microorganisms in one experiment to clarify their relative contribution and interactions in nutrient acquisition. Here, we monitored the respective contributions of pine roots, two ubiquitous forest ectomycorrhizal fungi Scleroderma citrinum and Laccaria bicolor, and two S. citrinum-mycorrhizosphere bacterial strains of Burkholderia glathei and Collimonas sp., on mineral weathering, nutrient uptake, and plant growth. Pinus sylvestris plants were grown on quartz–biotite substrate and inoculated or not with combinations of mycorrhizal fungi and/or bacterial strains. Magnesium and potassium fluxes were measured and nutrient budgets were calculated. Both ectomycorrhizal fungi significantly increased Mg plant uptake. No significant effects of the two bacterial strains were detected on the K and Mg budgets, but co-inoculating the mycorrhizal fungus S. citrinum and the efficient mineral-weathering B. glathei bacterial strain significantly improved the Mg budget. Similarly, co-inoculating S. citrinum with the Collimonas sp. bacterial strain significantly improved the pine biomass compared to non-inoculated pine plants. In order to better understand this process, we monitored the survival of the inoculated bacterial strains in the quartz–biotite substrate, the pine rhizosphere, and the mycorrhizal niche. The results showed that the two bacterial strains harboured different colonization behaviours both of which depended on the presence of the ectomycorrhizal partner. The populations of the Burkholderia strain were maintained in all these environments with a significantly higher density in the mycorrhizal niche, especially of S. citrinum. In contrast the population of the Collimonas strain reached the detection level except in the treatment inoculated with S. citrinum. These results highlight the need for taking into account the ecology of the microorganisms, and more specifically the fungal–bacterial interactions, when studying mineral weathering and plant nutrition.     

Inoculation of ‘Golden Delicious’ Apple Trees on M9 Rootstock with Azotobacter Improves Nutrient Uptake and Growth Indices

ABSTRACT

Roots of young ‘Golden Delicious’ apple on M9 rootstock were inoculated with four strains of Azotobacter chroococcum, which were isolated from various soils. Effects of these strains in combination with different levels of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and compost on plant growth and nutrient uptake were studied over two seasons. Therefore, a factorial arrangement included four strains of A. chroococcum, two levels of N-fertilizer (0 and 35 mg N kg^?1soil of ammonium nitrate) and two levels of compost (0 and 12 g kg^?1 soil of air-dried vermicompost). Among the four strains, AFA₁₄₆ was the most beneficial strain, as it increased leaf area, leaf potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) uptake and root N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), Mn, and Zn. The combination of AFA₁₄₆ strain, compost and N fertilizer increased leaf uptake of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and B, and root uptake of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and copper (Cu), and root dry weight.     

INTERACTION EFFECT OF POTASSIUM AND SULFUR FERTILIZATION ON PRODUCTIVITY AND MINERAL NUTRITION OF SUNNHEMP

The interactive effect of potassium (K) and sulfur (S) fertilization on productivity and mineral nutrition of sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) was evaluated in a field experiment during 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons at Uttar Pradesh, India. Potassium and sulfur fertilizers increased fiber yield and nutrient uptake of sunnhemp. It was observed that an application of K and S at 40 kg ha^?1 each significantly increased the total dry matter, fiber yield, and nutrient uptake of sunnhemp. The crop yield response to the added S was greater than for K and the nutrient use efficiency was also higher at lower levels of fertilizer addition. The increased levels of K and S improved the number of nodules and crude protein content of sunnhemp leaves.     

Microbial and chemical sources of phosphorus supply modulate the yield and chemical composition of essential oil of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium species) in sodic soils

Rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.) is a highly valued aromatic crop. Its growth is limited by soil salinity and sodicity stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and P fertilizers may enhance the growth and secondary metabolism in geranium plants. In this context, a pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of PSB, AM fungi (Glomus intraradices), and P fertilizer on the yield, chemical composition of essential oil, and mineral element acquisition of geranium. The dry matter yield of shoot and essential oil yield, and mineral element (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, and Zn) uptake in shoot tissues of geranium were significantly increased by the inoculation with AM fungi, co-inoculation with AM fungi and PSB, and P fertilization as compared to control. While the co-inoculation of geranium with AM fungi and PSB significantly enhanced the content of the monoterpenes such as citronellol, geraniol, geranial, and a sesquiterpene (10-epi-γ eudesmol), the P fertilization only enhanced the content of a sesquiterpene, 10-epi-γ eudesmol in the volatile oil. We conclude that the co-inoculation of PSB and AM fungi could be the best natural alternative to phosphate fertilizers to enhance the yield and quality of essential oil from geranium plants grown in sodic soils.