Responses by iron-efficient and inefficient oat cultivars to inoculation with siderophore-producing bacteria in a calcareous soil

Rhizosphere bacteria may enhance plant uptake of Fe by producing siderophores that chelate sparingly soluble Fe³⁺ in calcareous soils. To evaluate the extent to which plants benefit from colonization of the roots by prolific siderophore-producing bacteria, we inoculated two oat cultivars with six strains of bacteria that produced high concentrations of siderophores under Felimiting conditions in vitro. Oat cv Coker 227, an Fe-efficient cultivar, which produces the phytosiderophore avenic acid, and cv TAM 0-312, and Fe-inefficient cultivar, which does not produce the phytosiderophore, were grown in a calcareous soil (Weswood silt loam) on a light bench in the laboratory. Half of the plants were fertilized with a nutrient solution containing 5 mM Fe and half with a nutrient solution containing no Fe. After 6 weeks of growth, we compared colonization of the roots by the inoculant bacteria and the dry weight and Fe content of roots and shoots. Three species of Pseudomonas colonized the roots of both oat cultivars in high numbers (10⁶ cells g^-1 root dry weight), whereas the remaining bacteria colonized the roots in substantially lower numbers (10⁴ cells g^-1 root dry weight). Plants fertilized with 5 mM Fe were larger and supported greater numbers or rhizosphere bacteria per gram of root than plants not supplied with Fe. Comparisons of the Fe content and dry weight of roots and shoots revealed few significant differences between inoculated and uninoculated plants, or among the plants inoculated with the different strains of siderophore-producing bacteria. The differences that were observed revealed no consistent response to inoculation. We conclude that inoculation of the roots of the two oat cultivars with bacteria that produce high concentrations of siderophores in response to an Fe deficiency had little or no effect on Fe acquisition by the plants.     

Effects of two new siderophore-producing rhizobacteria on growth and iron content of maize and canola plants

Siderophore-producing rhizobacteria beneficially affect plant growth by providing available iron to plants. In this study, bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of canola (Brassica napus L.) plants grown in the central fields in Iran, for the presence of siderophore-producing bacteria. A total of 45 distinct isolates were found to produce siderophore using qualitative chrome azurol sulfonate (CAS)-agar assay. Of them, ten isolates, based on the highest halo diameter/colony diameter ratios, were selected to quantify the rate of siderophore production using CAS-liquid assay. A variety of biochemical assays was used to determine the type(s) of siderophores produced by each of the ten isolates. The best isolates, based on production of the highest rates of either hydroxamates or carboxylates, were identified and used in further studies. Based on 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequence analysis and a variety of phenotypic properties, the isolates were identified as Micrococcus yunnanensis YIM 65004 (T) and Stenotrophomonas chelatiphaga LPM-5 (T). We also studied the plant growth-promoting effect of the most promising isolates (YIM 65004 and LPM-5) on canola and maize plants under greenhouse conditions. The results of this study showed that M. yunnanensis and S. chelatiphaga increased gain weight and iron (Fe) content of roots and shoots significantly, in comparison with control, indicating beneficial effects of these rhizobacteria on plant growth and development. This study reports M. yunnanensis and S. chelatiphaga, as new records for Iran. The latter is reported for the first time from plant (canola) rhizosphere. Besides, the ability of both M. yunnanensis and S. chelatiphaga to produce siderophores is documented for the first time.     

Modulation of Uptake and Translocation of Iron and Copper from Root to Shoot in Common Bean by Siderophore-Producing Microorganisms

Microbes have developed high-affinity uptake mechanisms to assimilate iron (Fe) and other metals such as aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu). Siderophores, which are metal chelating compounds, and membrane receptor proteins are involved in these specialized mechanisms. A few siderophore-producing microorganisms associated with plant roots also influence the uptake of some metals. In this study, the potential microbial-assisted Cu and Fe uptake by Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) plants was evaluated. Seedlings of cultivated common bean varieties Bayo-INIFAP (B) and Negro-150 (N) and wild types yellowish (WY) and black (WB) were developed in the presence of a Cu and Fe solution and associated with the siderophore-producing microorganisms R. leguminosarumbv. Phaseoli (strains 19, 44, and 46); Pseudomonas fluorescens(strain Avm), and Azospirillum brasilense (strain 154). Seedlings of cultivated variety N and black wild type WB inoculated with the strain CPMex.44 accumulated 71% and 30% more Fe than the un-inoculated plants, respectively; however, the wild black bean accumulated the highest absolute amount of Fe (221.56 mg/kg of dry matter) as compared with the cultivated black variety N (126.16 mg/kg of dry matter) (P < 0.05). In the wild type WY seedlings, the highest Fe accumulation was observed when the seeds were inoculated with the Pseudomonas strain Avm (206 mg/kg of dry matter) (P < 0.05). The interaction of Pseudomonas strain Avm with seedlings of the cultivated B variety and the wild type WB promoted the highest accumulation of Cu (51 and 54 mg/kg of dry matter, respectively), 7 and 14 mg more than in the respective non-inoculated seedlings. No promotion of Fe accumulation was observed in the seedlings of the cultivated B variety and in roots; instead, less Fe was accumulated. The wild type WY did not show any improvement in Cu accumulation. In this study, Rhizobiumstrains promoted Fe but not Cu uptake in P. vulgaris seedlings while Pseudomonas strains promoted the uptake of both Cu and Fe.     

Different responses to root infection with endophytic microorganisms of vitis vinifera L. cv. pinot blanc grown on calcareous soil

One‐year‐old rooted cuttings of Vitis vinifera L. cv. “Pinot blanc”; grafted on “Kober 5BB”; hybrid rootstock were grown in pots containing a calcareous soil. Before potting, the roots were treated by a suspension of the siderophore producing bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens, other Pseudomonas spp., and some unidentified microorganisms. The tested bacteria were endophytic microorganisms from maize and they were chosen according to their ability to produce fluorescent pigments. The shoot growth was checked every ten days, and leaf blades, sampled about 80 days after bud burst, were analyzed for chlorophyll and mineral element concentration. Chlorosis rating was checked by visual screening in order to control the effect of the treatments on the chlorosis. At the end of the growing cycle dry matter and iron (Fe) partitioning were analyzed. The most significant findings of the trial were: a) the tested microorganisms did not improve significantly lime‐tolerance of the tested plants; b) the microorganisms were able to modify phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and Fe mineral nutrition of the vines.     

Förderung des Wachstums und der Nährstoffaufnahme bei kruziferen Ölund Zwischenfrüchten durch inokulierte Rhizosphärenmikroorganismen

Promotion of plant growth and nutrient uptake of cruciferous oil- and intercrops by inoculated rhizosphere microorganisms The vegetative growth of rape, oil radish and mustard was repeatedly stimulated by isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens (PsIA12), P. putida (A1 A2), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (PsIB2, Psl2), Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A1A4) and Rhizobium trifolii (R39) by improved root development and nutrient uptake (N. P. K. Mg) in pot and field experiments on loamy sand and sandy loam at different yield levels. The seed yield of rape could be increased only by 2 isolates (PsIA12, PsIB2). The growth stimulating bacteria produced phytohormones (auxins and partly cytokinins). No direct relations between plant growth stimulation and the potential microbial metabolic activities nitrogenase, nitrate reductase, P-mobilization, pectinase, cellulase could be found. Effective bacteria are in close association with the plants and can survive in the rhizosphere.     

Ferric pseudobactin 358 as an iron source for carnation

The influence of the siderophore produced by plant growth‐promoting Pseudomonas putida strain WCS358, pseudobactin 358 (PSB358), on chlorophyll synthesis and iron(III) reduction in carnation cultivars Lena and Pallas grown in hydroponics was studied. Ferric pseudobactin 358 (4 μM) stimulated chlorophyll synthesis in cv. Lena, but not in cv. Pallas. FeEDDHA stimulated chlorophyll synthesis in both cultivars. Differences between the two carnation cultivars in the utilization of FePSB358 as an iron source are correlated with differences in iron efficiency reactions of the two cultivars: Fe‐deficient plants of cv. Lena produced more and longer root hairs than Fe‐deficient plants of cv. Pallas, and the ferric reducing activity of cv. Lena was higher than that of cv. Pallas.     

Nitrogen fixation and CO2 exchange in soybeans (Glycine max L.) inoculated with mixed cultures of different microorganisms

N₂ fixation, photosynthesis of whole plants and yield increases in soybeans inoculated with mixed cultures of Bradyrhizobium japonicum 110 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 20 or P. fluorescens 21 as well as Glomus mosseae were found in pot experiments in gray forest soil carried out in a growth chamber. The effects of pseudomonads and vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungus on these parameters were found to be the same. Dual inoculation of soybeans with mixed cultures of microorganisms stimulated nodulation, nitrogenase activity of nodules and enhanced the amount of biological nitrogen in plants as determined by the ¹⁵N dilution method in comparison to soybeans inoculated with nodule bacteria alone. An increased leaf area in dually infected soybeans was estimated to be the major factor increasing photosynthesis. P. fluorescens and G. mosseae stimulated plant growth, photosynthesis and nodulation probably due to the production of plant growth-promoting substances. Increasing phosphorus fertilizer rates within the range of 5–40 mg P 100 g^-1 1:1 (v/v) soil: sand in a greenhouse experiment led to a subsequent improvement in nodulation, and an enhancement of N₂ fixation and yield in soybeans dually inoculated with B. japonicum 110 and P. fluorescens 21. These indexes were considerably higher in P-treated plants inoculated with mixed bacterial culture than in plants inoculated with nodule bacteria alone.     

Colonization of wheat seedling (Triticum aestivum) roots by Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis

Summary Colonization patterns of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis on roots of wheat seedlings growing on water agar were studied qualitatively by replica printing and quantitatively by the plate count method. The results indicated a stronger colonization potential for P. fluorescens (up to 10⁷ cfu/cm root) than for B. subtilis (up to 10⁵ cfu/cm root). Although the numbers of both species were lower when inoculated together, the observed colonization patterns on the roots were comparable to those found with single inoculations. For none of these bacteria was active migration along the root surface in any direction observed, indicating that distal positions are reached mainly by a passive displacement on the root tip and elongating cells. Ecological implications of the observed phenomena are discussed.     

Bioenergy grass [Erianthus ravennae (L.) Beauv.] secretes two members of mugineic acid family phytosiderophores which involved in their tolerance to Fe deficiency

Ravenna grass, Erianthus ravennae (L.) Beauv. (E. ravennae) is a potential high biomass-energy crop with low input requirements. Iron (Fe) deficiency in calcareous soils is a widespread agronomic problem which reduces crop yields. Fe is sparingly soluble under aerobic conditions at high soil pH, such as in calcareous soils; therefore, plants cannot take up enough Fe. Increasing crop productivity of giant grasses, such as Ravenna grass in calcareous soil, has a positive effect by alleviating environmental problems. However, the growth character in calcareous soil and Fe homeostatic trait of Ravenna grass are largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed characteristics of Ravenna grass. The growth of E. ravennae plants were impaired in calcareous soil compared to those in the normal soil. In calcareous soil, the growth of E. ravennae plants differ among the water and fertilizer conditions; E. ravennae plants were grown better in the submerged condition adding micronutrient among conditions. These results suggested that impaired growth of E. ravennae in calcareous soil might be micronutrient shortage. We found that E. ravennae roots possess Fe reductase activities which were upregulated under Fe-deficient conditions. E. ravennae produced and secreted mugineic acid (MA) and deoxymugineic acid (DMA) to acquire Fe from the soil. The amount of MA was higher than that of DMA. Thus, E. ravennae might have both partial Strategy-I and Strategy-II Fe uptake systems. E. ravennae intercropped with transgenic rice plants producing and secreting MA through the introduction of the barley MA synthase gene showed improved growth compared to monocropped E. ravennae plants, suggesting that the increased amounts of MA enhanced their tolerance to Fe deficiency. Our results suggest that there is a considerable potential to improve the growth of E. ravennae plants in calcareous soils by enhancement of their Fe uptake systems through increase of MA production.     

Importance of 2,4-DAPG in the biological control of brown patch by Pseudomonas fluorescens HP72 and newly identified genes involved in 2,4-DAPG biosynthesis

The Pseudomonas fluorescens strain HP72 used as biocontrol agent was isolated from the roots of creeping bentgrass on brown patch-suppressive soil. This strain can suppress brown patch disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani. The analysis of secondary metabolites from strain HP72 revealed that it produced known antifungal compounds, 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DA-PG), HCN, and a fluorescent siderophore. In the present study, the Tn5inserted mutants of strain HP72, which did not show any antifungal activity, were selected. None of the mutants produced 2,4-DA-PG but they produced a fluorescent siderophore, while some strains produced HCN. Therefore, it is suggested that 2,4-DA-PG plays a major role in the biological control of brown patch disease caused by R. solani. In the genomic region where Tn5 was inserted, two open reading frames (ORFs A and B), which are not included in the 2,4-DAPG gene cluster of HP72, were detected. It was demonstrated that ORFs A and flare involved in the regulation of 2,4-DAPG biosynthesis.     

Nutrients Uptake in Shoots and Biomass Yields and Roots and Nutritive Value of Zuri Guinea Grass Inoculated with Plant Growth-promoting Bacteria

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) inoculation in Zuri guinea grass [Megathyrsus (syn. Panicum) maximus] on shoot dry weight (SDW) and root dry weight (RDW) yield, morphological compositions, number of tillers, and nutrients concentrations in SDW. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions in a randomized block design consisting of eight treatments with five replicates. The inoculation with the Ab-V5 and Ab-V6 strains of Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens or co-inoculation with Rhizobium tropici and Ab-V6, with nitrogen (N) fertilization, as well as re-inoculations of the plants after cuttings were taken were evaluated. The plant growth-promoting bacteria and N fertilization promoted increases in SDW and RDW yield, tillers dry weight, relative chlorophyll index (RCI) and nutrients uptake in shoots of Zuri guinea grass. There were effects of re-inoculation the PGPB by P. fluorescens in shoots, N, magnesium (Mg) and boron (B) concentration in SDW.     

A new growth medium for the study of siderophore-mediated interactions

Summary A microbial growth medium, RSM, was developed to study the role of siderophores (microbial Fe-transport compounds) in the inhibition of the take-all pathogen, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, by Pseudomonas putida strain B10. The inorganic constituents of the medium were designed to mimic the rhizosphere while the organic composition was designed to promote rapid growth and siderophore production. The antibiosis experiments were highly reproducible and the antagonism appeared to be due to production of pseudobactin, the siderophore of B10. On plates amended with chrome azurol S, G. graminis did not produce siderophores while other fungi did. The growth of G. graminis on plates prepared with Fe chelate buffers was inhibited at a free ferric ion concentration of 10^–24.6 M, although three other fungi were not inhibited, even at 10^–25.5 M, presumably due to their greater production of siderophores. In liquid medium amended with Fe chelate buffers, both the doubling time and the lag phase of P. putida increased as the free ferric ion concentration was reduced. A wide variety of fungi and bacteria were found to grow on this medium. Because the inorganic composition of RSM is based on that of the rhizosphere, the development of this medium may be a first step towards the study of the chemistry and biology of the rhizosphere under well defined conditions.     

Efficacy of an artificial microbial siderophore-Fe(III) with high redox potential on correcting Fe chlorosis in rice

ABSTRACT

Microbial siderophore-chelated Fe(III) is suggested to be an important source of Fe for plants, although it is hardly reduced by plant roots. Here, we investigated the efficacy of the easily reducible artificial microbial siderophore tris[2-{(N-acetyl-N-hydroxy)glycylamino}ethyl]amine (TAGE)-Fe(III) as an alternative Fe source to correct Fe deficiency in rice plants, and compared it to that of the natural siderophore deferoxamine B (DFOB)-Fe(III). We also evaluated the absorption of Fe from TAGE-Fe(III) by the Strategy I-like system of gramineous plants using nicotianamine aminotransferase 1 (naat1) mutant rice, which does not synthesize phytosiderophores. Fe(III)-siderophores were synthesized in vitro. Nipponbare rice and its naat1 mutant were reared in soil and gel cultures to determine Fe availability. Hydroponically grown naat1 mutant seedlings were used for reducibility assays to determine the ability of rice roots to reduce Fe(III) chelated by TAGE or DFOB. The expression of a Fe-deficiency inducible gene was also determined, as well as chlorophyll and Fe concentrations. Reduci bility assays on naat1 mutant seedlings revealed that the reduction level of TAGE-Fe(III) was approximately three times higher than that of DFOB-Fe(III). Application of TAGE-Fe(III) to both culture medium and alkaline soil improved Fe chlorosis, growth, and Fe concentration in both naat1 and wild type plants, whereas application of DFOB-Fe(III) only did so in wild type plants. Easily reducible Fe(III)-chelates such as TAGE-Fe(III) can be a better source of Fe for rice plants than most natural microbial siderophores-Fe(III). Our study also demonstrated that rice plants have the ability to utilize microbial siderophores-Fe(III) as the Fe source through the Strategy I-like Fe acquisition system.     

Quantitative assessment of the rhizoplane microflora by direct microscopy

The bacterial populations on roots of several grassland species were estimated by combining the techniques of direct counting of stained bacteria in situ with standard sampling techniques of plant ecology. The eight plant species examined had bacterial cover of the root surface within the range 4–10 per cent. In a more detailed experiment with two plant species, the method was sufficiently precise to demonstrate that a 7.7 per cent cover of roots of Lolium perenne L. by bacteria was significantly different (P < 0-05) from a 6.3 per cent cover on Plantago lanceolata L. The length of fungal mycelium per unit root surface area was estimated by a modification of the line intercept method, which was originally developed for measuring root lengths. When hyphal diameters were also measured, fungal cover per cent and volume could be estimated.Estimates of the numbers of rhizoplane bacteria and fungi made by the spread-plate counting method on a non-selective agar showed that the mean number of bacteria from Lolium was greater (but not significantly different) than the counts on Plantago: however. Lolium did have significantly more Gram-negative bacteria as estimated by crystal violet agar than did Plantago.The numbers of bacteria estimated by direct microscopy were about 10-fold greater than estimates by plate counts. For a given period of time, direct microscopy gave a more precise estimate of total bacterial and fungal abundance than did plate counts hut the technique does require continuous concentration by the observer over long periods.     

Plant growth-promoting bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain GRP3 influences iron acquisition in mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilzeck)

Siderophores produced by Pseudomonas sp. may be used by the bacteria (homologously) or in effecting plant nutrition (heterologously). The problem of iron non-availability particularly in calcareous soils may be overcome by incorporation of siderophore producing strains of fluorescent psuedomonads (FLPs). Siderophore producing bacterium Pseudomonas strain GRP₃ was used in a pot experiment to assess the role of microbial siderophores in the iron nutrition of mung bean (Vigna radiataL. Wilzeck) using Fe-citrate, Fe-EDTA and Fe(OH)₃ in different concentrations with Hoagland's solution. After 45 days, the plants showed a reduction of chlorotic symptoms and enhanced chlorophyll level in GRP₃ bacterized plants. Bacterization with GRP₃ increased peroxidase activity and lowered catalase activity in roots. In 10 μM Fe-citrate alongwith GRP₃ treatment, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents increased significantly by 34, 48 and 39%, respectively, compared to the control. Peroxidase activity in the same treatment was increased by 82% whereas catalase activity decreased by 33%. There was also a significant increase in total and physiologically available iron. A closely similar pattern was observed in chlorophyll content and peroxidase activity in Fe-EDTA and Fe(OH)₃ treated plants; catalase activity was an exception. The data suggests operation of heterologous siderophore uptake system in mung bean in presence of GRP₃. Such siderophore producing system has the potential of improving iron availability to plants and reduce fertilizer usage.     

Manganese toxicity in bush bean as affected by concentration of manganese and iron in the nutrient solution

An experiment was conducted to clarify the relationship between Mn toxicity and Fe deficiency in bush snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. ‘Wonder Crop No. 2'). Seedlings were grown in full strength Hoagland No. 2 solution at pH 6.0 for ten days. Six concentrations of Mn as MnCl₂.4H₂O were used in combination with three concentrations of Fe as FeEDTA.

Toxicity symptoms, induced by low levels of Mn (0.1 ppm and above), included: small brown necrotic spots and veinal necrosis on primary leaves; necrosis on primary leaf petioles; interveinal chlorosis, with or without brown necrotic spots, on trifoliate leaves; and brown necrotic spots on stipules. Manganese toxicity symptoms were alleviated or prevented by increasing Fe concentration in the nutrient solution.

Manganese concentration in the leaves increased with increasing Mn and decreased with increasing Fe concentration in the nutrient solution, Iron concentration in the roots increased with increasing Fe concentration in the nutrient solution; however, Fe concentration in the leaves was not significantly affected by increasing Mn concentration in the solution culture. Manganese toxicity symptoms developed when Mn concentration in the leaves reached about 120 ppm.

A decrease in the Fe/Mn ratio in the nutrient solution resulted in a proportionate decrease in that of the leaves. Manganese toxicity symptoms occurred when the Fe/Mn ratio in the solution was 10.0 and below, or when the ratio in the leaves was less than 1.5. The ratio of Fe/Mn in the solution required for optimum growth of ‘Wonder Crop No. 2’ bean, without Mn toxicity symptoms, was in the range of 20.0 to 25.0.

Results indicate that the chlorosis on bush bean leaves induced by excessive Mn in the nutrient solution was due to excessive accumulation of Mn and not to Fe deficiency.     

Study the Effects of Siderophore-Producing Bacteria on Zinc and Phosphorous Nutrition of Canola and Maize Plants

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are soil bacteria that are able to colonize rhizosphere and to enhance plant growth by means of a wide variety of mechanisms. In the present study, Myristica yunnanensis and Stenotrophomonas chelatiphaga strains were recognized as new records in Iran flora. According to the results, these strains significantly affected plants’ zinc and phosphorous contents which could be due to the production of phytosiderophore. Siderophore-producing bacteria increased canola zinc (Zn) content as strategy-I plant, while in maize, it can be said that probably the effect of phytosiderophore produced by plant on increasing root and shoot Zn content was more than siderophore produced by bacteria. These isolates could be used as bio-input for improving the plant productivity as a substitute to chemical fertilizers and also to correct the nutrient deficiencies in canola and maize for sustainable agriculture.     

Factors related to iron uptake by dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants III. Competition between root and external factors for Fe

In comparison studies (11, 12), monocotyledonous corn (Zea mays L.) and oats (Avena byzantina C. Koch) did not respond to Fe stress as effectively nor to the same degree as the dicotyledonous soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) or tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Both the Fe‐inefficient and Fe‐efficient corn and oats developed Fe chlorosis; the Fe‐efficient dicotyledonous plants were green. In the present study, the method of inducing Fe stress was changed to make it less severe. Instead of using only NO₃‐N and no Fe to induce Fe stress (11, 12), both NH₄‐N and NO₃‐N were used along with varied concentrations of Fe. Iron stress was induced with BPDS (4,7‐diphenyl‐l, 10‐phenan‐throline disulfonic acid) and phosphate; both competed with the plant for Fe. Phosphate also inhibits reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ (12). This method of inducing Fe stress in the plants was less severe than using only NO₃‐N and no Fe in the nutrient solutions and we were able to measure a difference in Fe‐stress response for all four plant species (Fe‐inefficient and Fe‐efficient). At the lower Fe treatments, the roots of Fe‐efficient plants usually reduced more Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ than did the roots of Fe‐inefficient plants. The ‘inefficient’ ys₁ corn and TAM 0–312 oat roots did not compete with BPDS or phosphate for Fe as effectively as did the ‘efficient’ WF9 corn and Coker 227 oat roots. The same type mechanism for solubilization, absorption, and transport of Fe seems to function in both monocotyledenous and dicotyledenous plants but it is more effective and more readily detected in the dicot than in the monocot plants. The reactions involved in reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ seemed to be confined inside or at the root surface for the inefficient genotypes; the efficient genotypes alter the ambient medium to a greater degree.     

Growth stimulation and fruit yield improvement of greenhouse tomato plants by inoculation with Pseudomonas putida or Trichoderma atroviride: Possible role of indole acetic acid (IAA)

Five bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. fluorescens subgroup G strain 2, P. marginalis, P. putida subgroup B strain 1 and P. syringae strain 1) and three fungi (Penicillium brevicompactum, P. solitum strain 1 and Trichoderma atroviride) were evaluated to determine their promoting effect on the growth of mature healthy tomato plants grown under hydroponic conditions. P. putida and T. atroviride were shown to improve fruit yields in rockwool and in organic medium. The production or degradation of indole acetic acid (IAA) by the two microorganisms was investigated as possible mechanisms for plant growth stimulation. Both P. putida and T. atroviride were shown to produce IAA. The production of IAA by the two microorganisms was stimulated in vitro by the addition of l-tryptophan, tryptamine and tryptophol (200 μg ml⁻¹) in the culture medium. P. putida and T. atroviride also increased the fresh weight of both the shoot and the roots of tomato seedlings grown in the presence of increasing concentrations of l-tryptophan (up to 0.75 mM). Both microorganisms showed partial degradation of IAA in vitro when grown in a minimal medium with or without sucrose. In addition, the capacity of these microorganisms to reduce the deleterious effect of exogenous IAA was investigated using tomato seedlings. The results showed that the roots of tomato seedlings grown in the presence of increasing concentrations of IAA (0-10 μg ml⁻¹) were significantly longer when seeds were previously treated with P. putida or T. atroviride. The reduction in the detrimental effect of IAA on root elongation could be associated with a reduced ethylene production resulting from a decrease of its precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) by microbial degradation of IAA in the rhizosphere and/or by ACC deaminase activity present in both microorganisms.