Abstract
The present study was carried out to investigate how plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) influence plant growth and uptake of boron (B) and phosphorus (P) in rapeseed (Brassica napus). Rapeseed was subjected to control, B, P and B + P treatments, either with or without B. pumilus (PGPB) inoculation, and grown in pot culture for 6 weeks. In the absence of B. pumilus, the addition of B, P or both elements improved the growth of rapeseed compared with the control. Interestingly, B. pumilus inoculation inhibited plant growth and enhanced B uptake under B and B + P but not under control and P conditions. In addition, B. pumilus inoculation decreased the pH of soil under B and B + P supplies. Bacillus pumilus inoculation thus increased rapeseed B uptake and inhibited growth under B supply, which suggests that the effects of PGPB on rapeseed growth depend on the addition of B to soil. Bacillus pumilus inoculation may therefore be recommended for the enhancement of rapeseed B levels in B-deficient soils but not in B-sufficient ones.
Highlights
Boron (B) is a micronutrient essential for plant growth and development, and rapeseed (Brassica napus) is a globally important oil crop with high B requirements (Xu et al 2002)
Bacillus pumilus inoculation increased rapeseed B uptake and inhibited growth under B supply, which suggests that the effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on rapeseed growth depend on the addition of B to soil
Because rapeseed is very sensitive to both P and B deficiencies, we investigated the effects of B. pumilus inoculation on the growth and B and P uptake of rapeseed grown in low-pH soil
Summary
Boron (B) is a micronutrient essential for plant growth and development, and rapeseed (Brassica napus) is a globally important oil crop with high B requirements (Xu et al 2002). In China, rapeseed is grown on over 6.67 million ha, in which levels of B are either moderately or extremely insufficient for plant growth (Xu et al 2002). B deficiency is a major factor limiting the growth of at least 132 crops including rapeseed in over 80 countries (Shorrocks 1997). B-deficiency symptoms, which are often visible in rapidly growing tissues, lead to growth reduction (Dell and Huang 1997). Adequate B nutrition is recommended to overcome B deficiency in plants. Because a narrow range exists between B deficiency and B toxicity, the application of exogenous B can be lethal to plants
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