Characterization of phosphate solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads from the rhizosphere of Aloe vera (L.)

Soil phosphorous (P) deficiency is a major constraint to plant production which is overcome by adding inorganic-phosphate as chemical fertilizers. Fluorescent pseudomonads are the diverse group of bacteria able to mobilize sparingly soluble phosphate form. Total three hundred seven fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates were obtained from the Aloe barbadensis (Miller) rhizosphere. These Pseudomonas strains were further evaluated in vitro for their ability to solubilize phosphate and to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore and 1-aminocyclopropane 1- carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. Fifty three (36.8%) isolates produced IAA and 52 (36.1%) isolates produced siderophores whereas 36 (25.0%) and 31 (21.5%) isolates produced HCN and ACC deaminase, respectively. A positive correlation existed between siderophore and ACC deaminase producers. Cluster analysis showed rhizosphere as the major factor influencing the ecological distribution and physiological characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing PSB were identified as Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas sp. and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida with highest phosphate solubilization ability. In conclusion, these phosphate solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads would help in understanding their role in phosphorus solubilization and identification of potent phosphorus solubilizers from the rhizosphere of commercially grown A. barbadensis.     

Isolation and characterization of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from walnut and their effect on growth and phosphorus mobilization

The objectives of this work were to isolate and characterize walnut phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and to evaluate the effect of inoculation with the selected PSB stains to walnut seedlings fertilized with or without insoluble phosphate. Thirty-four PSB strains were isolated and identified under the genera Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus, Cupriavidus, Agrobacterium, Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Pantoea, and Rhodococcus through a comparison of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequences. All isolated PSB strains could solubilize tricalcium phosphate (TCP) in solid and liquid media. Phosphate-solubilizing activity of these strains was associated with a drop in the pH of medium. A significantly negative linear correlation was found between culture pH and phosphorus (P) solubilized from inorganic phosphate. Three isolates Pseudomonas chlororaphis (W24), Bacillus cereus (W9), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (W12) were selected for shade house assays because of their higher phosphate-solubilizing abilities. Under shade house conditions, application of W24 or W12 remarkably improved plant height, shoot and root dry weight, and P and nitrogen (N) uptake of walnut seedlings. These increases were higher on combined inoculation of PSB with TCP addition. The most pronounced beneficial effect on growth of walnut plants was observed in the co-inoculation of the three PSB strains with TCP addition. In comparison, the isolate of W9 failed to increase available soil P, nutrient levels in plants, or to promote plant growth, suggesting that more insoluble phosphate compounds than tricalcium phosphate should be used as substrates to assess the phosphate-solubilizing ability of PSB under greenhouse conditions. The present results indicated that strains P. chlororaphis or P. fluorescens could be considered for the formulation of new inoculants of walnut, even of more woody plants.     

Enhancement of maize plant growth with inoculation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and biochar amendment in soil

Maize plant has an absolute requirement of nutrients (N, P, and K) for growth and development. The microbial application can facilitate in addressing limited access to chemical fertilizer concern. Moreover, biochar and phosphorus-solubilizing bacterial (PSB) community can contribute together in nutrient availability. Both have the P-supply potential to the soil, but their interaction has been tested less under semiarid climatic conditions. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential of biochemically tested promising PSB strains and biochar for maize plant growth and nutritional status in plant and soil. Therefore, two isolated PSB strains from maize rhizosphere were biochemically tested in vitro and identified by 16S rDNA gene analysis. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse where the plant growth and nutrient availability to the plants were observed. In this regard, all the treatments such as PSB strain-inoculated plants, biochar-treated plants, and a combination of PSBs + biochar-treated plants were destructively sampled on day 45 (D₄₅) and day 65 (D₆₅) of sowing with four replications at each time. PSB inoculation, biochar incorporation, and their combinations have positive effects on maize plant height and nutrient concentration on D₄₅ and D₆₅. In particular, plants treated with sawdust biochar + Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain 31MZR inoculation increased N (32.8%), P (72.5%), and K (42.1%) against control on D₆₅. Besides that, only L. fusiformis strain 31MZR inoculation enhanced N (23.1%) and P (61.5%) than control which shows the significant interaction of PSB and biochar in nutrient uptake. PSB and biochar have the potential to be used as a promising amendment in improving plant growth and nutrient absorption besides the conventional approaches.     

Phosphate Solubilizing Ability and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bacteria from P-Rich Soils Around Dianchi Lake Drainage Area of China

The phylogenetic diversity of phosphate solubilizing bacteria(PSB)distributed in P-rich soils in the Dianchi Lake drainage area of China was characterized,and the tricalcium phosphate(TCP)solubilizing activities of isolated PSB were determined.Among 1 328 bacteria isolated from 100 P-rich soil samples,377 isolates(28.39%of the total)that exhibited TCP solubilization activity were taken as PSB.These PSB showed different abilities to solubilize TCP,with the concentrations of solubilized P in bacterial cultures varying from 33.48 to 69.63 mg L^-1.A total of 123 PSB isolates,with relatively high TCP solubilization activity(>54.00 mg L^-1),were submitted for restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP)analysis,which revealed 32 unique RFLP patterns.Based on these patterns,62 representative isolates,one to three from each RFLP pattern,were seffected for 16S rRNA sequencing.Phylogenetic analysis placed the 123 PSB into three bacterial phyla,namely Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria and Firmicutes.Members of Proteobacteria were the dominant PSB,where 107 isolates represented by 26 RFLP patterns were associated with the genera of Burkholderia,Pseudomonas,Acinetobacter,Enterobacter,Pantoea,Serratia,Klebsiella,Leclercia,Raoultella and Cedecea.Firmicutes were the subdominant group,in which 13 isolates were affiliated with the genera of Bacillus and Brevibacterium.The remaining 3 isolates were identified as three species of the genus Arthrobacter.This research extends the knowledge on PSB in P-rich soils and broadens the spectrum of PSB for the development of environmentally friendly biophosphate fertilizers.     

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.     

Mineral composition of field grown winter wheat inoculated with phosphorus solubilizing bacteria at different plant growth stages

A two year field experiment was conducted in field conditions using wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare L. cv. Bezostaja) as the test plant for the evaluation of phosphate solubilizing (+PS) microorganisms. Bacterial strains significantly (P < 0.05) increased plant biomass (by 13 to 36%) without plant P enrichment. Only Bacillus sp. #189 significantly (P < 0.05) raised plant P-content, biomass and rhizosphere soil Olsen P at Zadoks Scale 62 simultaneously. Inoculations variably increased plant potassium (K-), magnesium (Mg-), zinc (Zn-), and managenese (Mn-) contents at harvest (Zadoks 92) but not earlier (Zadoks 31 and 61). The enrichment of the inoculated plants with nutrients other than P indicates the presence of alternative plant growth promoting mechanisms. This study showed that promising phosphate solubilizing microorganisms could increase not only the P content of the plants, but also the soil available P in rhizosphere transiently.     

Performance of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in soil under high phosphorus conditions

A way to bring phosphate-saturated soils back to an environmentally safe P level is by P mining through plants. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) could be very useful for increasing mining efficiency over time. The goal of this research was to investigate the adaptation and performance of PSB in conditions of high total P content in soil. In the first experiment, the P-solubilizing capacity of five PSB species (three Bacillus spp. and two Pseudomonas spp.) were tested under fully controlled conditions on several growth media with different forms of insoluble phosphate (FePO₄, AlPO₄, or (Ca)₃(PO₄)₂) added at different rates. The colony growth after 14 days of inoculation demonstrated that all five bacteria were able to proliferate and solubilize P on each of the tested growth media, in contradiction with the normally used technique of halo determination. In the second experiment, the same bacterial species were inoculated in pure quartz sand amended with a nutrient solution and P was added separately in an insoluble form, as Fe–P, Al–P, or Ca–P. The extractable ammonium lactate ranged from 3.2 to 6.9 and 29.0 to 40.7 mg?kg^?1 sand for the insoluble Al–P and Fe–P treatments, respectively. Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus brevis performed best as PSB at high P concentration where the P is fixed with Al or Fe. In the third experiment, P. putida and B. brevis were inoculated in an acidic sandy, P-saturated soil for 4 weeks. The inoculation of the PSB gave promising results in solubilizing P.     

Comparative efficiency of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria under greenhouse conditions for promoting growth and aloin-A content of Aloe barbadensis

This study was conducted with Aloe barbadensis in order to investigate the efficacy of four phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Pseudomonas synxantha 10223, Burkholderia gladioli 10242, Enterobacter hormaechei 10240 and Serratia marcescens 10241 to solubilize Mussorie rock phosphate (MRP) and to evaluate its effects on growth, soluble P content and P uptake compared with control, i.e. uninoculated plants. Pot experiments were conducted in a greenhouse, in soil supplemented with MRP. Each PSB treatment showed different effects on different plant growth parameters. The maximum increase in leaf length (23.7%), total number of leaves (33.33%) and dry rind weight (69.10%) was observed in plants treated with P. synxantha 10223 compared with control. Whereas, maximum increase in root length (23.43%), fresh leaves weight (79.03%), dry gel weight (113.08%) and total gel volume (112.10%), was observed in plants treated with S. marcescens 10241 compared with uninoculated plants. Maximum increase in aloin-A content [114.92% (per g dry gel weight) and 322.32% (per plant dry gel weight)] was observed in plants treated with P. synxantha 10223 compared with control plants. Root colonization by inoculated PSB as estimated by RAPD technique showed that all PSB were able to survive in the rhizosphere of Aloe plants.     

Root-associated bacteria containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase improve growth and nutrient uptake by pea genotypes cultivated in cadmium supplemented soil

The effect of inoculation with Pseudomonas brassicacearum Am3, Pseudomonas marginalis Dp1 and Rhodococcus sp. Fp2 containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD) on growth and uptake of N, P, K, Ca, S, Fe and Cd in shoots of pea (Pisum sativum) genotypes VIR188, VIR1658, VIR3429 and VIR4488 was studied in pot experiment with non-polluted and Cd-supplemented (10 mg Cd kg⁻¹) sod-podzolic soil. The growth-promoting effect of bacteria depended on plant genotype and bacterial strain. Only Rhodococcus sp. Fp2 had no ACCD activity in vitro in the presence of Cd and did not stimulate pea growth in Cd-supplemented soil. Inoculation with bacteria counteracted the Cd-induced inhibition of nutrient uptake by plants probably through stimulation of root growth and enhancement of nutrient uptake processes. Nutritional effects of the bacteria were specific with respect to the nutrient.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizae and phosphate solubilising bacteria of the rhizosphere of the mangrove ecosystem of Great Nicobar island, India

Mangroves form an important ecosystem of Great Nicobar, a continental island in the Bay of Bengal with luxuriant tropical rainforests. The rhizosphere of the mangrove plants of Great Nicobar was investigated for the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) and phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB). The soils of the Great Nicobar mangroves were silt–clays and were poor in phosphate content. Five species of AMF belonging to the genus Glomus were isolated. The %AMF colonization in the mangrove plants was between 0 and 17%, and the presence of AMF in the aerenchymatous cortex suggests that the mangrove plants may be aiding in AMF survival by providing oxygen. Two strains of phosphate solubilising Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found in the mangrove soils of Great Nicobar. Phosphate solubilisation by the two isolated strains was almost 70% under in vitro conditions. PSB may play a role in the mangrove ecosystems of Great Nicobar by mobilising insoluble phosphate. The plant roots could pick up the released phosphate directly or with the aid of AMF hyphae.     

Synergistic effect of inoculating plant growth-promoting Pseudomonas spp. and Rhizobium leguminosarum-FB1 on growth and nutrient uptake of rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) Pseudomonas lurida-NPRp15 and Pseudomonas putida-PGRs4 possessing multiple plant growth-promoting traits were isolated from rhizoplane of pea and rhizosphere of garlic, respectively. The effects of individuals and combinations of Pseudomonas spp. with effective root nodulating symbiotic nitrogen fixing Rhizobium leguminosarum-FB1 on plant growth, nutrient uptake and yield of the rajmash plant were studied under greenhouse conditions. Bacterial inoculation resulted in significantly higher values for plant dry biomass, N, P, K, Zn and Fe contents as compared to the uninoculated control. Furthermore, dual inoculation of P. lurida-NPRp15 with R. leguminosarum-FB1 significantly increased root and shoot dry weight, nodulation, nutrient uptake, pod yield, and nutrient content of pods of rajmash VL63 compared to controls, single and triple inoculation. The results of the study indicate the potential of harnessing the benefit of plant growth-promoting and nitrogen-fixing microorganisms to improve the growth and yield of rajmash.     

Trapping of phosphate solubilizing bacteria on hyphae of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM 197198

A simple method is described for trapping phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) strongly attached to the hyphae of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizophagus irregularis (Ri). Bacteria were isolated from the hyphosphere of mycorrhizal leek plants growing on Turface previously inoculated with soil suspensions, obtained from the mycorrhizosphere of mycorrhizal plants growing in agricultural settings or maple forests in Quebec, Canada. Among the best PSB strongly attached to the hyphae of Ri, 26 isolates belonged to Burkholderia spp. and one was identified as Rhizobium miluonense. Four hyphobacteria exhibiting high potential of inorganic and organic P mobilization were further compared with four equivalent mycorrhizobacteria directly isolated from mycorrhizospheric soils sampled. In general, hyphobacteria were superior in mobilizing P from hydroxyapatite and from a low reactivity igneous phosphate rock from Quebec. Release of gluconic acid or the product of its oxidation 2-ketogluconic acid, are the main mechanisms involved in P solubilization. In a two compartments Petri plate system, Ri extraradical hyphal exudates, supported PSB growth and activity. In the absence of PSB Ri showed a negligible P solubilization activity. In the presence of PSB a substantial increase in P mobilization was observed, and the superiority of hyphobacterial activity was also observed under this system. Our results suggest that in developing a bioinoculant based on selected PSB, their interaction with AMF hyphae should not be overlooked.     

溶磷菌株组合的溶磷效应及对玉米生长的影响

【目的】 本研究以革兰氏阴性菌Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0、F113、Phl1c2、PF5与阳性菌Bacillus megaterium X14为研究对象,通过各菌株及菌株组合的溶磷能力评判组合效果,并进一步通过玉米盆栽试验验证其应用效果。【方法】 通过菌株在NBRIP培养基中对难溶磷源Ca₃（PO₄）₂的溶解能力评价各菌株及菌株组合的溶磷能力,测量接菌处理后的玉米干重、株高和全磷含量评价各菌株和菌株组合的盆栽应用效果。【结果】 1）纯培养实验中CHA0、F113、Phl1c2、PF5在NBRIP无机磷液体培养基中可溶磷含量均显著高于X14,且4株阴性菌两两组合后,培养基中可溶磷含量显著高于对应的阴性菌与阳性菌的组合,即阴性菌组合后的溶磷效果高于阴性菌与阳性菌组合后的溶磷效果。2）单菌比较,盆栽试验接种阳性菌X14对玉米生长及全磷吸收累积量的效果与阴性菌的差异不及室内实验显著,说明该阳性菌盆栽应用效果较好。比较菌株组合的处理,发现接种阴性菌与阳性菌组合的处理,其对玉米生长及全磷吸收累积量的效果与接种对应的阴性菌组合的处理效果相近,甚至显著高于一些阴性菌组合。3）综合比较室内实验结果与盆栽试验结果,发现阳性菌X14虽然在培养基中溶磷效果差,但在盆栽试验中,无论是单菌还是与阴性菌组合后的处理均表现出了良好的溶磷效果,且部分阴性菌与该阳性菌配合后,在玉米盆栽应用中促生和溶磷效果最佳。【结论】 与阴性菌组合相比,阳性菌与阴性菌组合室内溶磷效果均较差,但盆栽应用效果良好,甚至优于部分阴性菌组合,表明筛选溶磷菌株组合时,单一的室内纯培养结果不能作为唯一的评价指标,应同时结合盆栽的促生及溶磷效果。     

Phosphate-solubilization activity of bacterial strains in soil and their effect on soybean growth under greenhouse conditions

The efficiency of 13 phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB; four Burkholderia sp., five Enterobacter sp., and four Bradyrhizobium sp.) was assessed in a soil plate assay by evaluating soil phosphorus (P) availability. A commercial argentine strain, Pseudomonas fluorescens, was used for comparing solubilizing activity. Burkholderia sp. PER2F, Enterobacter sp. PER3G, and Bradyrhizobium sp. PER2H strains solubilized the largest quantities of P in the soil plate assay after 60 days as compared with the other strains, including the commercial one. The effect of PSB inoculation on growth and nutrient uptake of soybean plants was also studied under greenhouse conditions. Plants inoculated with Burkholderia sp. PER2F had the highest aerial height and showed an appropriate N/P ratio. However, none of the PSB increased P uptake by plants. This suggests that PSB inoculation does not necessarily improve P nutrition in soybean, nor was there any relationship between P availability in the soil plate assay and P content in the soybean shoot in the greenhouse. We concluded that the selection of efficient PSB strains as possible inoculation tools for P-deficient soils should focus on the integral interpretation of soil assays, greenhouse experiments, and field trials.     

Effects on yield and nutrition of mycorrhizal and nodulated Pueraria phaseoloides exerted by P-solubilizing rhizobacteria

We studied the effect of bacteria involved in rock phosphate (four isolates), iron phosphate (two isolates), and aluminium phosphate (two isolates) solubilization, and two phytate-mineralizing bacteria in terms of their interaction with two Glomus spp. on Pueraria phaseoloides growth and nutrition. The plant —Rhizobium sp. — mucorrhiza symbiosis system may increase in yield and nutrition in association with specific rhizosphere bacteria that solubilize calcium, iron, and aluminium phosphates. No benefit from phytate-mineralizing bacteria was found under these experimental conditions. P. phaseloides growth responses were influenced in different ways by specific combinations of the selected bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Considerable stimulation of nutrient uptake was observed with fungus-bacteria combinations of Azospirillum sp. 1, Bacillus sp. 1 or Enterobacter (spp. 1 or 2) associated with G. mosseae. The fact that Bacillus sp. 1, a calcium-phosphate solubilizing isolate, positively interacted with G. mosseae and negatively with G. fasciculatum is an indication of specific functional compatibility between the biotic components integrated in the system. From our results, the interactions between bacterial groups able to solubilize specific phosphate and mycorrhizal fungi cannot be interpreted as occurring only via P solubilization mechanisms since no generalized effect was obtained. Iron-phosphate solubilizing microorganisms were more active alone than in dual associations with Glomus sp., but the aluminium-phosphate dissolving isolates positively interacted in mycorrhizal plants. Further work is needed in this area in order to elucidate the mechanisms that affect rhizosphere microorganism interactions. G. mosseae was more effective but less infective than G. fasciculatum in most of the combined treatments.     

Glycine–Glomus–Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Interactions Lead to Fertilizer Phosphorus Economy in Soybean in a Himalayan Acid Alfisol

Effects of Glycine–Glomus–phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) interactions were studied on productivity, nutrient dynamics, and root colonization in soybean in a phosphorus (P)–deficient Himalayan acidic Alfisol in a greenhouse experiment. Treatments consisted of three vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) cultures, VAM_L [VAM culture, Glomus mosseae, developed by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India], VAM_T [VAM culture, Glomus intraradices, developed by Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India], and VAM_I [VAM culture, Glomus mosseae, developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India], and a local PSB culture (Pseudomonas striata) alone or in combination with or without 75% of recommended phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) dose based on targeted yield concept following the soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model. Sole application of PSB or either of the above VAM cultures considerably enhanced VA-mycorrhizal root colonization and root weight besides crop productivity and nutrient uptake over control. A similar stimulatory effect with significant enhancement on mycorrhizal root colonization and root weight was observed with coinoculation of PSB and VAM cultures over the control. Dual inoculation of VAM and PSB cultures also resulted in significant improvement in grain and straw yield besides grain protein content, thereby revealing a synergistic interaction between VAM and PSB. Coinoculation with either of VAM_T (Glomus intraradices) or VAM_I (Glomus mosseae) + PSB + 75% P₂O₅ dose remained at par with sole application of 100% P₂O₅ dose with respect to crop productivity, nutrient content, nutrient uptake, and soil fertility status besides the greatest root colonization and root weight at flowering, indicating that Glycine–Glomus–PSB interactions in combination with 75% P₂O₅ dose based on STCR precision model lead to economization of fertilizer P by about one-fourth without impairing crop productivity and soil fertility in soybean in a Himalayan acidic Alfisol.     

Identification and performance of stress‐tolerant phosphate‐solubilizing bacterial isolates on Tagetes minuta grown in sodic soil

Tagetes minuta is moderately adapted to a wide range of climate and due to its tolerance to larger salt, pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) in soil it is considered to be a potential crop for salt‐affected soil. Its tolerance to adverse condition and association with halophilic microbes can combine to play a greater role in crop production and improvement in soil health. After screening, the potential phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB) RS‐1, RS‐2 and RS‐3 were isolated from sodic soils and tested in pot experiment using a naturally occurring sodic soil of pH 9.3 and an ESP of about 45. Under optimum conditions in the laboratory, these bacteria showed phosphorus solubilization potential in liquid medium containing tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Inoculation of PSB significantly increased plant growth in terms of height, number of branches, dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake. Significant changes were also found in content and quality of essential oil. It was observed that PSB also improved the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. The bacterial strains tested in this study have the potential for use as a biofertilizer in sustaining the growth of Tagetes minuta in salt stress soil and mitigating soil stress problems.     

Halophile plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria induce salt tolerance traits in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)

Salinity is one of the most important growth-limiting factors for most crops in arid and semi-arid regions; however, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria isolated from saline soils could reduce the effects of saline stress in crops. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), isolated from the rhizosphere of halophile plants, for the growth, Na⁺/K⁺ balance, ethylene emission, and gene expression of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under saline conditions (100 mmol L^-1 NaCl) for 14 d. A total of 118 isolates obtained from saline soils of the deserts of Iran were tested for their capacity as PGPRs. Out of the 118 isolates, 17 could solubilize phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂), 5 could produce siderophores, and 16 could synthesize indole-3-acetic acid. Additionally, PGPRs were also evaluated for aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of 28 PGPR isolates to promote growth, regulate Na⁺/K⁺ balance, and decrease ethylene emissions in plants. The most efficient PGPRs were Arthrobacter aurescens, Bacillus atrophaeus, Enterobacter asburiae, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Gene expression analysis revealed the up-regulation of H⁺-PPase, HKT1, NHX7, CAT, and APX expression in roots of Enterobacter-inoculated salt-stressed plants. Salt-tolerant rhizobacteria exhibiting plant growth-promoting traits can facilitate the growth of wheat plants under saline conditions. Our results indicate that the isolation of these bacteria may be useful for formulating new inoculants to improve wheat cropping systems in saline soils.     

Autochthonous halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria promote bacoside A yield of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Nash and phytoextraction of salt-affected soil

Phytoremediation is a promising approach for reclamation of salt-affected soil. Phytoextraction is the most commonly used process, which exploits plants to absorb, immobilize, and accumulate salt in their shoots. In this study, halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were isolated from the rhizosphere of wild grasses growing naturally in salt-affected areas of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (India) and were tested for their efficacies of salt-tolerance and plant growth-promoting (PGP) abilities. Based on 16S rRNA sequences, the most efficient halotolerant isolates possessing PGP traits were identified as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (KM233646), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (KM233647), Bacillus flexus (KM233648), and Bacillus safensis (KM233652). Application of these isolates as bio-inoculants significantly (P < 0.05) increased the growth and bacoside A yield of a medicinal plant, Bacopa monnieri (L.) Nash, grown on natural salt-affected soil. The phytoremediation of salt-affected soil was evident by the substantial increase in shoot Na⁺:K⁺ ratio of bio-inoculant-treated plants. When compared to un-inoculated control plants, the soil physico-chemical properties of bio-inoculant-treated plants were improved. The shoot and root biomass (fresh and dry weights), soil enzymes, and soil nutrient parameters showed significant positive correlations with the shoot Na⁺:K⁺ ratio. Consequently, the halotolerant PGPR screened in this study could be useful for the reclamation of saline soils concomitant with improved plant growth and bacoside A yield.     

Phosphate-Solubilizing Microbes and Biocontrol Agent for Plant Nutrition and Protection: Current Perspective

ABSTRACT

Phosphate-solubilizing microbes (PSM) are widely distributed in the rhizosphere and helps plant to acquire phosphates from soil. The availability of phosphates in soil are governed by several factors among which the proton exchange capacity has been regarded to be the most important factor involved in cation complex formations with soluble phosphates making them unavailable to plants, thereby disturbing the phosphorus cycling events found in arable soils. PSM solubilizes the cation complexes and thereby improves the functioning of phosphorus cycle in soil. In addition to involvement in biogeochemical cycling events, PSM have been also found to have antagonistic potential against several plant phytopathogens. These biocontrol microbes represent the most abundant groups of soil microflora. Among which some nutrient solubilizers have been used for effective biocontrol of important plant diseases. This review article shows contributions of different plant growth promoters used in nutrient and disease management practices in agriculture.

Abbreviations: P (phosphorus), PSM (phosphate-solubilizing microbes), PSB (phosphate-solubilizing bacteria), PSF (phosphate-solubilizing fungi), PGPM (plant growth-promoting microbes), PGPB (plant growth-promoting bacteria), SAR (systemic acquired resistance), ISR (induced systemic resistance), TCP (tri-calcium phosphate), HCN (hydrogen cyanide), IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), ^aPhosphorus [(SSP) single super phosphate, RP (rock phosphate), PM (poultry manure) and FYM (farm yard manure)], PAL (phenylalanine ammonia lyase), ESI-MS (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry), DAPG (2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol) and NMR (¹H nuclear magnetic resonance).