锌铬复合胁迫对大豆根际土壤酶活性的影响

为研究不同Zn、Cr复合胁迫对大豆根际土壤酶活性的影响,在盆栽条件下,采用添加外源Zn、Cr的方法,测定了大豆根际和非根际土壤脲酶活性、过氧化氢酶活性、蔗糖酶活性。结果表明,不同Zn、Cr处理对大豆根际土壤脲酶活性有显著抑制效果,在Zn、Cr浓度分别为500、400 mg/kg时,大豆根际土壤脲酶活性为最低。随Zn、Cr浓度的增加,大豆根际土壤过氧化氢酶活性呈现先升高后降低的趋势,在Zn、Cr浓度分别为0、300 mg/kg时,达最大值,比对照提高14.80%;在Zn、Cr浓度分别为500、400 mg/kg时,仅为2.38 ml/(g·h),是最小值,比对照降低44.38%。随Zn、Cr浓度增加,大豆根际土壤蔗糖酶活性也呈现类似趋势,在Zn、Cr浓度分别为0、90 mg/kg时,达最大值3.65(mg/g·d),比对照提高9.87%;在Zn、Cr浓度分别为500、400 mg/kg时,达到最小值1.80(mg/g·d),比对照降低45.8%。同时结合偏相关分析结果发现,Zn、Cr对3种土壤酶活性均产生了协同抑制效应,且Zn的抑制作用大于Cr。     

外源水杨酸对冷藏枇杷果实木质化及相关酶活性的影响

以“解放钟”枇杷为试材,研究了外源水杨酸(SA)对4℃冷藏枇杷果实木质化的影响。试验结果表明：采用1.0 g/L SA浸果20 min处理能抑制枇杷果实苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)、肉桂醇脱氢酶(CAD)和过氧化物酶(POD)的活性,从而抑制果实木质素的形成,降低果实硬度,说明SA具有减缓冷藏枇杷果实木质化的作用。     

Accumulation of lead and arsenic in Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaves grown on urban and orchard soils

Ethnic vegetable crops are increasingly being grown in the United States and may accumulate heavy metals when grown on urban soils. This study evaluated accumulation of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) in tissues of Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) grown on an urban and an orchard soil with Pb concentrations of 1,120 and 272 mg kg^?1, respectively, and As concentrations of 6.92 and 90 mg kg^?1, respectively. Tissue Pb was higher in both crops grown on both contaminated soils compared with an uncontaminated soil, while tissue As was higher on the orchard soil only. Malabar spinach did not accumulate Pb or As in its shoot, but concentrations of both metals were higher in sweet potato stems compared to leaves or tubers. Consumption of sweet potato stems should be avoided when sweet potato leaves are grown as a vegetable on soils with elevated levels of Pb and As.     

Grain filling and yield of mung bean affected by salicylic acid and silicon under salt stress

Two experiments were carried out in 2013 and 2014, to investigate changes in grain filling rate (GFR), grain filling duration (GFD) and yield of mung bean in response to salicylic acid (SA) and silicon (Si) under salt stress (0, 3, 6 and 9 dS m^?1). In experiment 1, four levels of SA (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM), but in experiment 2, two levels of SA (0 and 1 mM) and Si (0 and 2 mM) were applied. In experiment 1, GFR, GFD, yield components, biological and grain yields and harvest index were decreased with increasing salt stress. Application of different levels of SA, especially 1 mM, increased GFR, but decreased GFD. In experiment 2, GFD under salinity was shorter than that under non-saline condition, resulting in comparatively smaller grains. Application of Si and particularly SA accelerated grain development under all salinity treatments. The superiority of SA treated plants in GFR, grain weight and grains per plant resulted in greater grain yield per plant under saline and non-saline conditions.     

Morpho-physiological and yield responses to exogenous moringa leaf extract and salicylic acid in maize (Zea mays L.) under water stress

Two field experiments were executed to investigate the effects of foliar-applied moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf extract (MLE; 1:30 w/v) and salicylic acid (SA; 0.5 mmol), singly or in combination, on growth, physio-biochemical, yield attributes and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize (Zea mays L., Three Ways Cross 329) under full and deficit irrigation conditions. Deficit irrigation was carried out by withholding water for 36 d from 12 to 48 days after sowing (DAS). At vegetative stage, deficit irrigation signi?cantly decreased all growth criteria, chlorophyll a concentration, and relative water content (RWC). In contrast, deficit irrigation considerably increased the concentrations of carotenoids, proline, membrane permeability (MP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Similarly, grain yield, most yield components and WUE were significantly depressed in drought-stressed plants. However, foliar-applied treatments particularly MLE+SA signi?cantly increased growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, RWC and proline accumulation associated with a simultaneous decrease in MP and MDA concentration under full and deficit irrigation conditions. The application of MLE+SA markedly increased grain yield, yield components and WUE over control (spray tap water). Overall, the combined application of MLE and SA could be used for alleviating the adverse effects of growth, physiology, yield criteria and WUE in drought-stressed maize plants.     

Oxidative stress response in spinach plants induced by cadmium

In this work we studied the effect of cadmium (Cd) (25 μM), in spinach plants (Spinacea oleracea) growing in nutrient solution, for 1, 2 and 7 days. Spinach growing in the contaminated solution showed a decrease in biomass, chlorophyll content and an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content, showing that photosynthetic apparatus was affected and lipid peroxidation occurred. The main defence mechanisms against the induced oxidative stress were the activation of catalase, glutathione reductase and guaiacol peroxidase. Glutathione reductase activity suggests that glutathione is involved in the response against Cd toxicity. The uptake of zinc (Zn), potassium (K), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) was affected, mainly at the higher exposition times. Spinach leaves showed no signs of toxicity and looked healthy although containing up to 35 mg kg^?1 dry weight (DW) of Cd. This can present a food security issue as there is no visible indication of the high amounts of Cd in the edible parts of the plant.     

Acetyl salicylic acid and 24-epibrassinolide enhance root activity and improve root morphological features in tomato plants under heat stress

High temperature has deleterious impacts on tomato growth and development and limits its production. Acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) have been widely reported as stress-ameliorating agents. The effect of exogenous application of varying levels of EBL (0.75, 1.5, and 3 µM) and ASA (0.25, 0.75, and 1.25 mM) on root activity (RA) in terms of 2,3,5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction and root morphological features was evaluated in four-week-old tomato seedlings (cultivar: Mei Jie Lo) grown under high-temperature stress (46°C/4 h per day) for 21 days. The daily heat stress treatment almost ceased the root growth of chemically untreated seedlings. However, both EBL and ASA significantly attenuated the deleterious impacts of heat stress to different extents regarding root activity, total root length, surface area, volume, and number of nodes and connections. Different concentrations demonstrated signature effects. EBL (3 µM) was over all the best treatment to improve root activity whereas ASA (0.25 mM) best enhanced root architecture (net length, volume, and area) as compared to the untreated heat-stressed controls. However, EBL (3 µM) and ASA (1.25 mM) slightly inhibited mean root diameter. It is concluded that under high-temperature conditions, the exogenous EBL and ASA in studied doses improve root morphological features and root activity, hence enhance heat stress tolerance. Both chemical agents can be potential candidates in practical agriculture for extension of tomato growth period in summer by virtue of their heat stress amelioration ability.     

Salicylic acid improves the antioxidant ability against arsenic-induced oxidative stress in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seedling

The present study investigated the potential role of external salicylic acid (SA) in alleviating Arsenic (As) toxicity in sunflower leaves. The exposure of plants to 10 µM As inhibited biomass production and intensively increased the accumulation of As in both roots and leaves. The levels of some important parameters associated with oxidative stress, namely lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production were increased. SA application alleviated the negative effect of As on growth and led to decrease in oxidative injuries. Furthermore, SA application led to higher activity of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase, and concomitantly decreased superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase activities. As important antioxidants, ascorbate and glutathione contents in sunflower leaves exposed to As were significantly decreased by SA treatment. These results reveal that SA is more effective in alleviating As toxicity at higher concentrations than that at lower concentrations.     

Decontamination of Chromium by Farm Yard Manure Application in Spinach Grown in Two Texturally Different Cr-Contaminated Soils

ABSTRACT

Chromium (Cr) is an environmental pollutant and its accumulation up to toxic levels in the soil and plants by applying irrigation with untreated industrial effluents has become a major problem throughout the world, especially in developing countries like India. Various inorganic as well as organic compounds are known for their ability to reduce mobilization of heavy metals in soils for plant uptake and leaching to ground water. The present study was undertaken under controlled glasshouse conditions to assess the effectiveness of farm yard manure (FYM) applications (equivalent to 0, 1, and 2% organic matter on w/w basis) to ameliorate Cr toxicity in spinach grown in two texturally different soils (silty loam and sandy) contaminated artificially with five levels of Cr (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg Cr kg^{? 1} soil as K₂Cr₂O₇). The diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cr in soil (before seeding and after harvest), Cr concentration, and its uptake by shoots and roots of spinach increased with increasing level of applied Cr. Roots accumulated more Cr than shoots, which depicts limited translocation of Cr from roots to shoots. A significant decrease was observed in dry matter yield (DMY) of shoots as well as roots by raising levels of applied Cr (0 to 10 mg Cr kg^{? 1} soil) in both soils, but the extent of the DMY decrease was higher in the sandy loam soil. Application of FYM showed mitigating effects on Cr toxicity. The DMY was higher in the presence of FYM, than its absence, at all rates of applied Cr in both soils. The FYM application caused decline in the DTPA-extractable Cr in soil, and concentration of Cr and its uptake by shoots and roots of spinach at a given level of applied Cr. The magnitude of Cr toxicity and its amelioration by FYM application was higher in sandy soil compared to silty loam soil. The results of this study indicated that FYM application to the soil could be used as an effective measure for reducing Cr toxicity to crop plants in Cr-contaminated soils irrigated by untreated industrial effluents.     

黄腐酸和聚天冬氨酸对蕹菜氮素吸收及氮肥去向的影响

为了解黄腐酸(FA)和聚天冬氨酸(PASP)对蕹菜氮素吸收及氮肥去向的影响,采用15N尿素示踪技术,设置不施氮肥(CK),单施尿素(N),尿素配施低、中、高用量的FA和PASP(NF1、NF2、NF3、NP1、NP2、NP3)8个处理,在温室条件下进行盆栽试验。结果表明,与N处理相比,配施FA和PASP后蕹菜地上部鲜重增加了7.46%~17.55%;NP2、NP3和各NF处理显著提高了蕹菜的吸氮量,提高幅度为10.84%~18.25%,其中,蕹菜对非标记氮的吸收量显著增加,且随FA和PASP用量的增大而增加;NF3处理的15N利用率显著低于N处理,其余处理无显著变化;NF2、NF3、NP2和NP3处理的15N损失率比N处理减少了5.41~14.58个百分点;NF2、NF3和NP2处理的15N土壤残留率增加了5.08~20.02个百分点。研究表明,中、高用量的FA和PASP与尿素配施促进了蕹菜对氮素(尤其是非标记氮素)的吸收,同时减少了氮肥的损失,增加了氮肥在土壤中的残留,对土壤氮库的贡献作用显著。     

Effective alleviation of Cd stress to microbial communities in mining reclamation soils by thiourea-modified biochar amendment

Reclaimed soils in mining area usually display low fertility and present Cd stress. The amendment of modified biochar effectively fixes Cd in soils,enhances soil fertility, and reduces Cd stress in soil microorganisms. However, the effect of thiourea-modified biochar(TBC) on microbial adaptability to Cd stress in mining reclamation soils is still unclear. The present work studied the Cd immobilization and microbial community changes in a mining reclamation soil displaying extreme Cd contaminatio...     

Physiological and biochemical responses of Melissa officinalis L. to nickel stress and the protective role of salicylic acid

The present study investigated the mediatory effects of salicylic acid (SA) in alleviating nickel (Ni) toxicity in Melissa officinalis L. One-month-old plants were exposed to different levels of Ni and SA concentrations in sand culture under greenhouse conditions. Excess Ni significantly inhibited the growth indices and dramatically increased accumulation of Ni in the leaves and roots. Exogenously SA applications (1.0 mM) led to a substantial improvement in the shoot and root fresh and dry weights. Foliar application of SA mitigated the deleterious effects of Ni and decreased its transport to the shoots. The results showed a significant loss in chlorophylls and carotenoids contents only at 500 µM of Ni. The impact of SA was not significant in terms of chlorophyll contents, while carotenoid contents of the Ni-stressed plants were significantly affected by SA. Exposure to Ni did not modify proline accumulation. Hydrogen peroxide accumulation was observed under Ni stress, while lipid peroxidation significantly decreased at the same conditions. Application of SA caused a significant decrease in electrolyte leakage of Ni-stressed plants. Due to the high potential for Ni accumulation in the roots and translocation factor values lower than 1, M. officinalis could be introduced as an excluder medicinal plant.     

Mycorrhizal alleviation of acid soil stress in the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

It is not known why sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivated in tropical regions tolerates acid soil. Here, we report the involvement of mycorrhizal symbiosis in this tolerance. Plants were grown in root-boxes filled with either acidic soil (pH 4.2) or the same soil amended with lime (pH 5.2) for 30 d in a growth chamber. In the inoculated treatments, the percentage of root length colonized by Gigaspora margarita was not affected by soil pH (23±9% at pH 4.2 vs. 30±12% at pH 5.2). The root and shoot dry weights of the non-mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 were 27 and 35%, respectively, of those at pH 5.2. The root and shoot dry weights of the mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 were 70 and 51% of those at pH 5.2. Growth promotion in mycorrhizal plants was significant only at pH 4.2 (2-fold increase in whole plant dry weight), but not at pH 5.2. As a result, no significant difference was detected in whole plant dry weight between the mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 and non-mycorrhizal plants at pH 5.2. The mycorrhizal plants at pH 4.2 showed reduced toxic symptoms of Mn (brown specks on mature leaves) and Al (poor root growth) compared to non-mycorrhizal ones, but tissue concentrations of P, K and Ca did not increase in mycorrhizal plants. We assume that the mycorrhizal colonization can reduce toxic effects of those elements while the exact mechanisms should be further investigated.     

银中杨光合作用和蒸腾作用对土壤干旱的响应

 以银中杨3年生苗木为试验材料,通过盆栽试验,研究土壤干旱程度、干旱持续时间和逐渐干旱对银中杨叶片气体交换参数的日变化和光响应过程的影响。结果表明:银中杨具有较强的抗旱性;适度干旱有利于银中杨光合作用;逐渐干旱过程中,土壤含水量在40.1%～20.2%范围内,光合速率随着含水量的减少而降低,但降低幅度较小,表观量子效率基本不变;土壤含水量为15.5%时的光合能力则大幅度下降;银中杨的光饱和点在750～1300μmol.m-2.s-1之间,随着土壤含水量的下降,光饱和点降低;光合速率和腾速率与气孔导度的正相关性较强,与胞间CO2则有负相关的趋势;在逐渐干旱过程中,水分利用率随着含水量的下降而上升,但长时间的严重干旱胁迫导致水分利用率降低;在相同含水量条件下,逐渐干旱对各光合参数的影响均小于梯度干旱,这说明银中杨光合作用能忍受暂时的干旱,重度水分胁迫持续时间较长时,光合速率和蒸腾速率大幅度降低,这是银中杨对干旱的一种适应方式。     

土壤悬浮液中溶解和吸附性铁离子对硫化物还原Cr(VI)的催化作用

The kinetics of Cr(Ⅵ) reduction by sulfide in soil suspensions with various pHs, soil compositions, and Fe(Ⅱ) concentrations was examined using batch anaerobic experimental systems at constant temperature. The results showed that the reaction rate of Cr(Ⅵ) reduction was in the order of red soil < yellow-brown soil < chernozem and was proportional to the concentration of HCl-extractable iron in the soils. Dissolved and adsorbed iron in soil suspensions played an important role in accelerating Cr(Ⅵ) reduction. The reaction involved in the Cr(Ⅵ) reduction by Fe(Ⅱ) to produce Fe(Ⅲ), which was reduced to Fe(Ⅱ) again by sulfide, could represent the catalytic pathway until about 70% of the initially present Cr(Ⅵ) was reduced. The catalysis occurred because the one-step reduction of Cr(Ⅵ) by sulfide was slower than the two-step process consisting of rapid Cr(Ⅵ) reduction by Fe(Ⅱ) followed by Fe(Ⅲ) reduction by sulfide. In essence, Fe(Ⅱ)/Fe(Ⅲ) species shuttle electrons from sulfide to Cr(Ⅵ), facilitating the reaction. The effect of iron, however, could be completely blocked by adding a strong Fe(Ⅱ)-complexing ligand, 1,10-phenanthroline, to the soil suspensions. In all the experiments, initial sulfide concentration was much higher than initial Cr(Ⅵ) concentration. The plots of lnc[Cr(Ⅵ)] versus reaction time were linear up to approximately 70% of Cr(Ⅵ) reduction, suggesting a first-order reaction kinetics with respect to Cr(Ⅵ). Elemental sulfur, the product of sulfide oxidation, was found to accelerate Cr(Ⅵ) reduction at a later stage of the reaction, resulting in deⅥation from linearity for the lnc[Cr(Ⅵ)] versus time plots.     

Catalysis of Dissolved and Adsorbed Iron in Soil Suspension for Chromium（Ⅵ） Reduction by Sulfide

The kinetics of Cr（Ⅵ） reduction by sulfide in soil suspensions with various pHs, soil compositions, and Fe（Ⅱ） concentrations was examined using batch anaeroblc experimental systems at constant temperature. The results showed that the reaction rate of Cr（Ⅵ） reduction was in the order of red soil 〈 yellow-brown soil 〈 chernozem and was proportional to the concentration of HCl-extractable iron in the soils. Dissolved and adsorbed iron in soil suspensions played an important role in accelerating Cr（Ⅵ） reduction. The reaction involved in the Cr（Ⅵ） reduction by Fe（Ⅱ） to produce Fe（ⅡI）, which was reduced to Fe（Ⅱ） again by sulfide, could represent the catalytic pathway until about 70% of the initially present Cr（Ⅵ） was reduced. The catalysis occurred because the one-step reduction of Cr（Ⅵ） by sulfide was slower than the two-step process consisting of rapid Cr（Ⅵ） reduction by Fe（Ⅱ） followed by Fe（Ⅲ） reduction by sulfide. In essence, Fe（Ⅱ）/Fe（Ⅲ） species shuttle electrons from sulfide to Cr（Ⅵ）, facilitating the reaction. The effect of iron, however, could be completely blocked by adding a strong Fe（Ⅱ）-complexing ligand, 1,10-phenanthroline, to the soil suspensions. In all the experiments, initial sulfide concentration was much higher than initial Cr（Ⅵ） concentration. The plots of In e[Cr（Ⅵ）] versus reaction time were linear up to approximately 70% of Cr（Ⅵ） reduction, suggesting a first-order reaction kinetics with respect to Cr（Ⅵ）. Elemental sulfur, the product of sulfide oxidation, was found to accelerate Cr（Ⅵ） reduction at a later stage of the reaction, resulting in deviation from linearity for the In c[Cr（Ⅵ）] versus time plots.     

Differential regulation of calmodulin,phenylalanine ammonia-lyase,and salicylic acid in response to Botrytis cinerea infection in tomato with different Ca2+ concentrations

To investigate the responses to Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) infection and the effects of exogenous Ca²⁺ on calmodulin (CaM), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis and concentrations, we investigated the role of exogenous calcium in defense and resistance to the necrotrophic fungus B. cinerea in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Specifically, 7.5 mM Ca²⁺ was the best treatment for plant resistance, resulting in stable and permanent resistance to the pathogen. This treatment improved plant resistance and the results also confirmed that the concentrations of CaM and SA are negatively correlated with the resistance response.     

氮素不同形态配比对菠菜体内游离氨基酸含量和相关酶活性的影响

采用溶液培养试验,研究了氮素不同形态配比对菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸含量及3种主要氮代谢酶活性的影响。结果表明:1)随着营养液中铵硝比(NH4+-N/NO3--N)的降低,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸的总量呈下降趋势。在全硝营养下(NH4+-N/NO3--N=0∶100)下,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸的总量只有全铵营养(NH4+-N/NO3--N=100∶0)的34.4%。2)在全铵营养下,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸的主要组分是谷氨酰胺、精氨酸和谷氨酸,三者占游离氨基酸总量的百分比依次为39.8%、20.2%和8.9%;在全硝营养下,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸以谷氨酸、天冬氨酸和丝氨酸为主,三者占游离氨基酸总量的百分比分别为30.3%1、8.6%和8.5%。3)提高营养液中硝态氮的比例,可以显着提高菠菜茎叶中硝酸还原酶(NR)的活性,同时降低了谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)的活性,谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性则呈现先升后降的抛物线状变化规律。4)菠菜茎叶中NR活性与谷胺酰胺含量之间存在着显著负相关关系(r=-0.968)。     

Combined effect of deficit irrigation and foliar-applied salicylic acid on physiological responses,yield, and water-use efficiency of onion plants in saline calcareous soil

Field-applied salicylic acid (SA) could provide a potential protection against drought stress in onion large-scale production. Two-season field experiments were consecutively conducted in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 to study the effect of 1 and 2 mM SA on growth, yield, plant water relations, chlorophyll a fluorescence, osmoprotectants, and water-use efficiency (WUE) in onion plants under four levels of irrigation (I₁₂₀ = 120%, I₁₀₀ = 100%, I₈₀ = 80%, and I₆₀ = 60% of crop evapotranspiration). Foliar application of SA enhanced drought stress tolerance in onion plants by improving photosynthetic efficiency and plant water status as evaluated by membrane stability index and relative water content. These results were positively reflected by improving plant growth, productivity, and WUE under drought stress conditions. Therefore, SA application may, in future, find application as a potential growth regulator for improving plant growth and yield under deficit irrigation by 20–40%.     

The influence of plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria on growth and enzyme activities in wheat and spinach plants

A pot experiment in a greenhouse was conducted in order to investigate the effect of different N₂‐fixing, phytohormone‐producing, and P‐solubilizing bacterial species on wheat and spinach growth and enzyme activities. Growth parameters and the activities of four enzymes, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD; EC 1.1.1.49), 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD; EC 1.1.1.44), glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.8.1.7), and glutathione S‐transferase (GST; EC 2.5.1.18) were determined in the leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., Konya) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), noninoculated and inoculated with nine plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR: Bacillus cereus RC18, Bacillus licheniformis RC08, Bacillus megaterium RC07, Bacillus subtilis RC11, Bacillus OSU‐142, Bacillus M‐13, Pseudomonas putida RC06, Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05 and RC14). Among the strains used in the present study, six PGPR exhibited nitrogenase activity and four were efficient in phosphate solubilization; all bacterial strains were efficient in indole acetic acid (IAA) production and significantly increased growth of wheat and spinach. Inoculation with PGPR increased wheat shoot fresh weight by 16.2%–53.8% and spinach shoot fresh weight by 2.2%–53.4% over control. PGPR inoculation gave leaf area increases by 6.0%–47.0% in wheat and 5.3%–49.3% in spinach. Inoculation increased plant height by 2.2%–24.6% and 1.9%–36.8% in wheat and spinach, respectively. A close relationship between plant growth and enzyme activities such as G6PD, 6PGD, GR, and GST was demonstrated. Plant‐growth response was variable and dependent on the inoculant strain, enzyme activity, plant species, and growth parameter evaluated. In particular, the N₂‐fixing bacterial strains RC05, RC06, RC14, and OSU‐142 and the P‐solubilizing strains RC07 and RC08 have great potential in being formulated and used as biofertilizers.