ASSIMILATED EVALUATION OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA ON SEED-BORNE MYCOFLORA AND SEED VIGOUR ASSOCIATED WITH COMMERCIAL VARIETIES OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Abstract

Among all cereal crops, wheat is the most important staple food globally and in Pakistan. In this study, two parameters, mainly the effect of PGPR inoculation on seed germination, emergence and overall seed vigour under different temperature conditions and wheat associated seed-borne mycoflora in 10 commercial wheat cultivars, were investigated. A temperature of 20 °C was found to be more effective than 15 °C and 25 °C, which showed maximum seed germination and seed vigour. Ojala 2016 and Johar 2016 were found to have 100% germination percentage at 20 °C in seeds inoculated with a dual bacterial inoculum. Ojala 2016 in dual inoculation (PGPR 2) experiment had maximum shoot and root length (5.67cm and 8.07cm). Seed-borne mycoflora associated with 10 varieties of wheat were examined through the blotter paper method and agar plate method. Eleven fungal species were isolated and identified from seeds. Fungal species were identified using microscopic identification techniques. Agar plate method was found to be most efficient for fungal isolation. Fungal incidence was higher in unsterilized seeds than sterilized seeds. Most frequently occurring fungal species were Penicillium (46%, 43%) and Aspergillus niger (40%, 56%) in sterilized and unsterilized treatments of blotter paper. In agar plate method, Penicillium (76%, 76%) and A. niger (70%, 83%) were frequently occurring species. Sahar 2008 and Aas 2011 showed maximum contamination among all ten varieties of wheat. This experiment concluded that PGPR have the potential to boost plant growth and enhance the vigour of seed germination.