Encapsulation of plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria—prospects and potential in agricultural sector: a review

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of bacteria that can enhance plant growth. In fact, PGPR are biologically unstable and the bacteria activity degrades over time due to environmental factors, survival rate in soils, the compatibility with the crop and the interaction ability with the indigenous microflora in soil. Therefore, the utilization of PGPR as plant growth promoter agent is a major challenge in the agricultural sectors because of their bioactivity degradation needs to be inhibited to maximize its function as a plant growth promoter. The application of delivery system based on encapsulation technology shows a promising technique to store and deliver PGPR. However, the task to find the appropriate PGPR encapsulation method is the most challenging for agricultural industry. In addition, the lack of knowledge on the action mechanism of encapsulated PGPR, physico-chemical properties and their survival in the environment are the many challenges need to be addressed. In the present review, the encapsulation technology of PGPR and its properties have been reviewed in detail. Moreover, the remaining technical challenges of encapsulation systems including insignificant stabilization of PGPR, instability of the environmental and difficulty of their preparation are also extensively discussed here.     

Effects of mineral and biofertilizers on barley growth on compacted soil

Abstract

Biofertilizers are an alternative to mineral fertilizers for increasing soil productivity and plant growth in sustainable agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate possible effects of three mineral fertilizers and four plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains as biofertilizer on soil properties and seedling growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare) at three different soil bulk densities, and in three harvest periods. The application treatments included the control (without bacteria inoculation and mineral fertilizers), mineral fertilizers (N, NP and P) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria species (Bacillus licheniformis RC04, Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05, Pseudomonas putida RC06, and Bacillus OSU-142) in sterilized soil. The PGPR, fungi, seedling growth, soil pH, organic matter content, available P and mineral nitrogen were determined in soil compacted artificially to three bulk density levels (1.1, 1.25 and 1.40 Mg m^?3) at 15, 30, and 45 days of plant harvest. The results showed that all the inoculated bacteria contributed to the amount of mineral nitrogen. Seed inoculation significantly increased the count of bacteria and fungi. Data suggest that seed inoculation of barley with PGPR strains tested increased root weight by 9–12.2%, and shoot weight by 29.7–43.3% compared with control. The N, NP and P application, however, increased root weight up to 18.2, 25.0 and 7.4% and shoot weight by 31.6, 43.4 and 26.4%, respectively. Our data show that PGPR stimulate barley growth and could be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizer. Soil compaction hampers the beneficial plant growth promoting properties of PGPR and should be avoided.     

Effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on Yield and Some Fruit Properties of Strawberry

Effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) [(Pseudomonas BA-8 (biological control agent), Bacillus OSU-142 (N₂-fixing), and Bacillus M-3 (N₂-fixing and phosphate solubilizing)] on yield and some fruit properties of strawberry cultivar ‘Selva’ in the province of Erzurum, Turkey in 2002–2003. Foliar + root application of PGPR strains significantly increased yield per plant as compared with the control. Root application of PGPR strains significantly increased total soluble solids, total sugar and reduced sugar, but decreased titratable acidity. It was also determined that bacteria applications have no important effect on the average fruit weight and pH. The results of this study suggested that Pseudomonas BA-8, Bacillus OSU-142 and Bacillus M-3 have potential for increasing yield in strawberry plant.     

Effects of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and N Source on Plant Growth and N and P Uptake by Tomato Grown on Calcareous Soils

Introducing specific microorganisms into the soil ecological system is an important strategy for improving nutrient use efficiency. Two pot experiments were conducted in the greenhouse from December 3, 2012 to January 25, 2013 (Experiment 1) and March 11 to April 23, 2013 (Experiment 2) to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) source and inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on plant growth and N and phosphorus (P) uptake in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) grown on calcareous soils from South Florida, USA. Treatments included urea, controlled release urea (a controlled release fertilizer, CRF) each at low and high N rates and with or without inoculation of PGPR. A mixture of PGPR strains Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IN937a and Bacillus pumilus T4 was applied to the soil during growing periods of tomato. Treatments with PGPR inoculation increased plant height compared to treatments without PGPR in both experiments. Inoculation with PGPR increased shoot dry weight and shoot N uptake for the same N rate and N source. In both experiments, only at high N rate, CRF and urea treatments with PGPR had significantly (P < 0.05) greater shoot biomass than those without PGPR. Only at high N rate, CRF treatment with PGPR significantly increased shoot N uptake by 39.0% and 10.3% compared to that without PGPR in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Meanwhile, presence of PGPR in the soil increased shoot P uptake for all treatments in Experiment 1 and for most treatments in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, only at low N rate, CRF treatment with PGPR significantly increased shoot P uptake compared with that without PGPR. In Experiment 2, a significant increase in shoot P uptake by inoculation of PGPR was only observed in CRF treatment at high N rate. Results from this study indicate that inoculation with PGPR may increase plant growth and N and P uptake by tomato grown on calcareous soils. However, the effect of PGPR varied and was influenced by many factors such as N source, N rate, and soil fertility. Further investigations are warranted to confirm the effect of PGPR under different soil conditions.     

两株PGPR对豇豆苗期生长及土著细菌群落的影响

以扬豇40为材料,研究了植物根际促生菌Pseudomonas chlororaphis RA6和Bacillus pumilus WP8对豇豆种子出苗及幼苗生长的作用,评价浸种及拌土处理的差异,揭示一段时间内,两株植物根际促生菌（PGPR）在土壤中的行为特征及其对土著细菌群落结构的影响。结果表明：PGPR对豇豆的促生作用因接种方式、接种量的不同而不同。WP8、RA6浸种处理的出苗率分别比对照提高14.29%和9.52%（P〈0.05）;15 d时的株高分别比对照提高14.39%和10.40%（P〈0.05）;茎叶干物重分别比对照增加19.69%和17.71%（P〈0.05）。WP8、RA6低剂量拌土处理（104cfu·g-1soil,以下简作＂低拌处理＂）各指标与对照相比,均无显著差异（P〉0.05）。WP8、RA6中剂量拌土处理（106cfu·g-1soil,以下简作＂中拌处理＂）出苗率和株高均比对照提高,但未达显著差异（P〉0.05）;茎叶干物重分别比对照增加12.71%和18.59%（P〈0.05）。WP8、RA6高剂量拌土处理（108cfu·g-1soil,以下简作＂高拌处理＂）出苗率分别比对照提高9.52%和14.29%（P〈0.05）;15 d时的株高分别比对照提高6.37%和7.64%（P〈0.05）;茎叶干物重分别比对照增加27.37%和20.43%（P〈0.05）。DGGE指纹图谱分析结果显示：各处理在15 d和45 d时,除WP8浸种处理外,其余土壤微生物群落多样性和对照均已发生明显变化,随时间推延,RA6菌株在土壤中优势地位更趋明显,表现在45 d时仍可明显检测到;WP8在土壤中存活时间不长,但拌土处理改变了土著细菌的群落结构。推测WP8的促生作用很可能与土著微生物群落的变化有关。     

盐胁迫环境下接种根际促生细菌对白蜡树根际生物学特征及其生长的影响

[目的]探讨不同盐胁迫生境中接种根际促生细菌(PGPR)对白蜡树根际的作用效果,为明确PGPR对白蜡树耐盐性的改善效果以及盐胁迫环境下PGPR的推广应用提供理论依据。[方法]通过盆栽试验,研究不同盐胁迫(轻度、中度、重度)及其接种阴沟肠杆菌(PGPR)对白蜡树根际生物学特征与生长的影响。[结果]盐胁迫显著降低了白蜡树根际微生物数量、微生物量碳、氮含量和脲酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶活性,且其降幅随盐胁迫梯度的增加而增大;当接种PGPR后,白蜡树根际微生物数量、微生物量碳、氮含量和脲酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶活性均呈上升趋势,其中轻度盐胁迫接种PGPR处理的细菌数、放线菌数和微生物总量达最高,分别较对照显著提高14.64%,24.01%和17.04%,而脲酶、多酚氧化酶、蔗糖酶活性与对照差异不显著,但显著高于其他处理。同时,白蜡树的根体积、根系总吸收面积与活跃吸收面积随着盐胁迫程度的加剧呈递减趋势,但接种PGPR后,对应的根系指标均有增加,其中轻度盐胁迫接种PGPR处理的活跃吸收面积显著高于对照15.97%。此外,同对照相比,不同程度盐胁迫均显著降低了白蜡树的地径、株高,而接种PGPR却显著提高了地径、株高,其中轻度盐胁迫接种PGPR处理的地径、株高与对照差异不显著,但显著高于其他处理。[结论]轻度盐胁迫下(盐分含量0.2%)接种阴沟肠杆菌能显著改善白蜡树根际生物学特征,并促进白蜡树生长,其作用效果显著优于中度、重度盐胁迫下接种阴沟肠杆菌。     

Effect of different fertilization treatments on indole-3-acetic acid producing bacteria in soil

Purpose  

Soil microorganisms directly affect the growth of plants. Especially, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in plant growth. There are many studies about the effects of different fertilization treatments on soil microbial community structure; however, the effects on PGPR, including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-producing bacteria have not been previously reported. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of different types of fertilizers on IAA-producing bacteria.     

Seed Bacterization with Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. Enhances Nutrient Uptake and Growth of Cajanus cajan L.

Among plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are an important group affecting plant growth. Pigeon pea is an important pulse crop and most of the studies were aimed at using Pseudomonas spp. for pest management in pigeon pea. Seventy-five fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from diverse agroecosystems of India and evaluated for their plant-growth-promoting ability, primarily by the paper cup method. Seventeen selected isolates were further evaluated by short-term pot assay for plant growth promotion. Seeds treated with bacteria showed greater nutrient concentration and growth than the control. Isolate P17 showed significant growth promotion in terms of root length (54.5 cm), dry mass (323 mg), chlorophyll (24 spad units), carbohydrates (21.2 percent), nitrogen (2.45 percent), calcium (1.82 percent), iron (984 ppm), and manganese (564 ppm). Pseudomonas sp. P17 strain was identified as a potential PGPR for nutrient uptake and plant growth promotion in pigeon pea, and this finding paves a way for integrated plant nutrient management in rainfed agroecosystems.     

PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA INCREASE GROWTH,YIELD AND NITROGEN FIXATION IN PHASEOLUS VULGARIS

Nitrogen (N) fixation by legume-Rhizobium symbiosis is important to agricultural productivity and is therefore of great economic interest. Growing evidence indicates that soil beneficial bacteria can positively affect symbiotic performance of rhizobia. The effect of co-inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Rhizobium, on nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars was investigated in two consecutive years under field conditions. The PGPR strains Pseudomonas fluorescens P-93 and Azospirillum lipoferum S-21 as well as two highly effective Rhizobium strains were used in this study. Common bean seeds of three cultivars were inoculated with Rhizobium singly or in a combination with PGPR to evaluate their effect on nodulation and nitrogen fixation. A significant variation of plant growth in response to inoculation with Rhizobium strains was observed. Treatment with PGPR significantly increased nodule number and dry weight, shoot dry weight, amount of nitrogen fixed as well as seed yield and protein content. Co-inoculation with Rhizobium and PGPR demonstrated a significant increase in the proportion of nitrogen derived from atmosphere. These results indicate that PGPR strains have potential to enhance the symbiotic potential of rhizobia.     

Plant growth promoting potential of psychrotolerant Dyadobacter sp. for pulses and finger millet and impact of inoculation on soil chemical properties and diazotrophic abundance

Western Indian Himalaya is very rich in biodiversity. Being a cold climatic region, it possesses various psychrotolerant and psychrophilic microorganisms. Psychrotolerant bacterium Dyadobacter sp. was isolated from this region and studied for its plant growth promoting potential against four legumes and finger millet. This bacterium was able to grow at nitrogen (N) deficient medium at both 10°C and 28°C and gave positive nifH amplification that confirms the psychrotolerant and diazotrophic nature of this bacterium. Pot trial-based study showed that this bacterium was able to promote plant growth by fixing atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) and making it available to plants. Agronomical parameters, leaf nitrate reductase activity, and total chlorophyll content were recorded at 30, 45, 60, and 90 days after sowing and found to be increased over their respective controls. The 16S rDNA and nifH genes were quantified by q-PCR to study the dynamics of total bacterial and diazotrophic abundance due to inoculation of Dyadobacter sp. in soil. Soil chemical properties related to soil fertility were also studied at different time intervals after sowing. We found positive correlation among soil pH, soil nifH gene abundance, soil nitrate concentration, and plant leaf nitrate reductase activity. PCR-DGGE was performed to study persistence of Dyadobacter sp. in soil after inoculation, which showed good persistence of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Hence, it is concluded that Dyadobacter sp. has potential to promote plant growth by fixing atmospheric N₂ and making it available to plant. Further, psychrotolerant nature of this bacterium can be exploited to enhance plant growth in cold climate agriculture due to its ability to fix atmospheric N₂ at low temperature.     

Soil sterilisation and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria promote root respiration and growth of sweet cherry rootstocks

Soil microorganisms play important roles in the plant-soil ecosystem, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) promotes plant growth through several mechanisms. To investigate the benefits of PGPR for root functions such as respiration, we used the plant model Cerasus sachalinensis Kom., in which root respiration provides a sensitive functional indicator to demonstrate the effect of soil sterilisation (SS) and inoculation with the PGPR Staphylococcus sciuri ss sciuri after SS on seedling root respiration and growth. Root respiration increased in the presence of PGPR inoculation alone, whereas Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas pathway activity decreased due to reduced phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase activities. Although cytochrome c oxidase activity decreased and alternative oxidase activity increased, only slight changes were observed in growth indicators such as seedling height. However, SS and PGPR inoculation after sterilisation reduced soil microbial biomass carbon and reduced root respiration. Pyruvate kinase activity as well as plant height and leaf number increased, thus promoting plant growth. Thus, we conclude that SS and PGPR inoculation altered enzymes activities, root respiration and plant growth of cherry rootstocks. The effects of microbial inoculation were altered by SS.     

Effect of Rhizobacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris Inoculation on Stevia rebaudiana Plant Growth and Soil Microbial Community

There is an increasing concern that the continuous use of chemical fertilizers might lead to harmful effects on soil ecosystem. Accordingly, a biocompatible approach involving inoculation of beneficial microorganisms is presented to promote plant growth and simultaneously minimize the negative effect of chemical fertilizers. In this study, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR), was inoculated into both fertilized and unfertilized soils to assess its influence on Stevia rebaudiana plant growth and microbial community in rhizosphere soils in a 122-d field experiment. Soil enzyme assays (dehydrogenase, urease, invertase, and phosphomonoesterase), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and a high-throughput sequencing technique were employed to determine the microbial activity and characterize the bacterial community. Results showed that the R. palustris inoculation did not significantly influence Stevia yields and root biomass in either the fertilized or unfertilized soil. Chemical fertilization had strong negative effects on soil bacterial community properties, especially on dehydrogenase and urease activities. However, R. palustris inoculation counteracted the effect of chemical fertilizer on dehydrogenase and urease activities, and increased the abundances of some bacterial lineages (including Bacteroidia, Nitrospirae, Planctomycetacia, Myxococcales, and Legionellales). In contrast, inoculation into the unfertilized soil did not significantly change the soil enzyme activities or the soil bacterial community structure. For both the fertilized and unfertilized soils, R. palustris inoculation decreased the relative abundances of some bacterial lineages possessing photosynthetic ability, such as Cyanobacteria, Rhodobacter, Sphingomonadales, and Burkholderiales. Taken together, our observations stress the potential utilization of R. palustris as PGPR in agriculture, which might further ameliorate the soil microbial properties in the long run.     

Antifungal and Plant Growth Promoting Activities of Indigenous Rhizobacteria Isolated from Maize (Zea mays L.) Rhizosphere

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance the plant growth directly by assisting in nutrient acquisition and modulating plant hormone levels, or indirectly by decreasing the inhibitory effects of various pathogens. The aim of this study was to select effective PGPR from a series of indigenous bacterial isolates by plant growth promotion and antifungal activity assays. This study confirmed that most of the isolates from maize rhizosphere were positive for PGPR properties by in vitro tests. Azotobacter and Bacillus isolates were better phosphate solubilizers and producers of lytic enzymes, hydrocyanic acid (HCN), and siderophores than Pseudomonas. Production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and antifungal activity were the highest in Azotobacter, followed by Bacillus and Pseudomonas. The most effective Azotobacter isolates (Azt₃, Azt₆, Azt₁₂) and Bacillus isolates (Bac_10, Bac₁₆) could be used as PGPR agents for improving maize productivity. Further selection of isolates will be necessary to determine their efficiency in different soils.     

Field Application Strategies for the Inoculant Biofertilizer Biogro Supplementing Fertilizer Nitrogen Application in Rice Production

Biofertilizer research for rice in Vietnam has focused on the isolation and selection of strains that can fix nitrogen, solubilize inorganic phosphates, stimulate plant growth, and breakdown soil organic matter. This paper assesses the consistent positive effect of BioGro on grain yield and agronomic parameters, including the rates and times for its application, the need for continued inoculation of crops grown in the same site, varietal differences, and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) combinations on the effectiveness of BioGro. The commercial biofertilizer, BioGro, consists of four strains, one formerly considered as nitrogen fixing, Pseudomonas fluorescens, a soil yeast strain, Candida tropicalis is P-solubilizing, and two other bacilli, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis, potentially breaking down cellulose, protein, and starch. All four strains contribute to plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) effect as shown by enhanced root growth. BioGro can be produced in local factories providing there is technical backup in the supply of starter culture and quality control of the final product.     

植物根际微生物调控根系构型研究

植物根系构型即根系在其生长介质中的生长与分布,包括根系长度、根系分支和根系生物量等,能够将植物固定在土壤中并有效吸收水分和矿质养分,直接影响植物的生长和发育。根系构型受多种因素的影响,包括土壤水分、养分和根际微生物,传统方式主要依靠化学肥料增加土壤养分进而改善根系生长,但是化学肥料会对环境造成危害,根际微生物作为植物的“第二基因组”,能够改善初生根、侧根和根毛的发育,促进植物的生长和根际养分吸收,近年来基因组学−代谢组学、基因组学−转录组学等多组学关联技术的应用揭示了微生物的促生机制,为微生物菌剂的开发提供了新思路。基于该领域的研究现状,本文阐述了根际微生物（AMF、PGPR、根瘤菌）对根构型的调控机制包括激素调控、固氮、溶磷、释放挥发性有机化合物四个方面,并描述它们通过这四种机制增加植物根系长度、根系分支,促进根毛发育的调控效应,基于上述结论,植物根际微生物可以有效改善根系生长,但实际应用效果还有待研究,量化不同机制的相对贡献率以及提高微生物菌剂在实际应用中的稳定性是后续研究的重点。     

Biostimulant effects of rhizobacteria on wheat growth and nutrient uptake depend on nitrogen application and plant development

The capacity of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) – Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GB03 (BamGB03), B. megaterium SNji (BmeSNji), and Azospirillum brasilense 65B (Abr65B) – to enhance growth and nutrient uptake in wheat was evaluated under different mineral N fertilizer rates, in sterile and non-sterile soils, and at different developmental stages. In gnotobiotic conditions, the three strains significantly increased plant biomass irrespective of the N rates. Under greenhouse conditions using non-sterile soil, growth promotion was generally highest at a moderate N rate, followed by a full N dose, while no significant effect was observed for the inoculants in the absence of N fertilizer. At 50N, plant biomass was most significantly increased in roots (up to +45% with Abr65B) at stem-elongation stage and in the ears (+19–23% according to the strains) at flowering stages. For some nutrients (N, P, Mn, and Cu), the biomass increases in roots and ears were paralleled with reduced nutrient concentrations in the same organs. Nevertheless, growth stimulation resulted in a higher total nutrient uptake and higher nutrient uptake efficiency. Furthermore, Abr65B and BmeSNji counteracted the reduction of root development caused by a high N supply. Therefore, combining PGPR with a proper cultivated system, N rate, and plant stage could enhance their biostimulant effects.     

长期施肥黑土微生物区系及功能多样性的变化

Black soil （Mollisol） is one of the main soil types in northeastern China. Biolog and polymerase chain reactiondenaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （PCR-DGGE） methods were used to examine the influence of various fertilizer combinations on the structure and function of the bacterial community in a black soil collected from Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. Biolog results showed that substrate richness and catabolic diversity of the soil bacterial community were the greatest in the chemical fertilizer and chemical fertilizer＋manure treatments. The metabolic ability of the bacterial community in the manure treatment was similar to the control. DGGE fingerprinting indicated similarity in the distribution of most 16S rDNA bands among all treatments, suggesting that microorganisms with those bands were stable and not influenced by fertilization. However, chemical fertilizer increased the diversity of soil bacterial community. Principal com- ponent analysis of Biolog and DGGE data revealed that the structure and function of the bacterial community were similar in the control and manure treatments, suggesting that the application of manure increased the soil microbial population, but had no effect on the bacterial community structure. Catabolic function was similar in the chemical fertilizer and chemical fertilizer＋manure treatments, but the composition structure of the soil microbes differed between them. The use of chemical fertilizers could result in a decline in the catabolic activity of fast-growing or eutrophic bacteria.     

Harnessing Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Beyond Nature: A Review

Root-associated plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) interact with the plant roots and influence plant health and soil fertility. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria play an important role in plant growth by exerting various mechanisms such as biological nitrogen fixation, growth hormone production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, hydrolytic enzyme production, antagonistic activity against fungal pathogens etc. Hence, these are employed as inoculants for biofertilizer and biocontrol activities. This review summarizes various mechanisms of PGPR and their potential for use as inoculants. It shows that their use is a worthwhile approach for exploring disease management in conjunction with other strategies.     

Inoculation of tomato plants with selected PGPR represents a feasible alternative to chemical fertilization under salt stress

Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are soil bacteria that colonize the rhizosphere of plants, enhance plant growth, and may alleviate environmental stress, thus constituting a powerful tool in sustainable agriculture. Here, we compared the capacity of chemical fertilization to selected PGPR strains to promote growth and alleviate salinity stress in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.). A pot experiment was designed with two main factors: fertilization (chemical fertilization, bacterial inoculation with seven PGPR, or a non‐fertilized non‐inoculated control) and salt stress (0 or 100 mM NaCl). In the absence of stress, a clear promotion of growth, a positive effect on plant physiology (elevated F_v/F_m), and enhanced N, P, and K concentrations were observed in inoculated plants compared to non‐fertilized controls. Salinity negatively affected most variables analyzed, but inoculation with certain strains reduced some of the negative effects on growth parameters and plant physiology (water loss and K⁺ depletion) in a moderate but significant manner. Chemical fertilization clearly exceeded the positive effects of inoculation under non‐stressed conditions, but conversely, biofertilization with some strains outperformed chemical fertilization under salt stress. The results point at inoculation with selected PGPR as a viable economical and environment‐friendly alternative to chemical fertilization in salinity‐affected soils.     

The role of phosphorus sources on root diameter,root length and root dry matter of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Roots are the main plant organs that supply nutrients, water, hormones and physical support for the plant. Phosphorus (P) is one of the most limiting and important elements in root growth and crop production. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of different sources of phosphorus treatments on root growth (root length, diameter and dry matter) of barley. The two glasshouse pot experiments results showed that under P deficiency, the weight of dry root significantly decreased and the total root length of whole plant significantly increased with decrease of root diameter. Our results suggested that soil fertility and root structure are widely recognized as important role of the soil community and plant growth, the root structure and root extension can directly and indirectly affected by soil fertility and specially P nutrient of the soil. Accordingly, root characteristics can determine the circumstance of plant growth and crop production.