Abstract
Seed inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an ideal tool to supply the soil with a high density of beneficial microorganisms. However, maintaining viable microorganisms is a major problem during seed treatment and storage. In this work, an evaluation was made of the effect of bacterial immobilization in nanofibers on the stability (viability and maintenance of beneficial properties) of two potential PGPR, Pantoea agglomerans ISIB55 and Burkholderia caribensis ISIB40. Moreover, the impact of soybean seed coating with nanofiber-immobilized rhizobacteria on bacterial survival during seed storage and on germination and plant growth parameters was determined. Bacterial nanoimmobilization and subsequent seed coating with nanofiber-immobilized rhizobacteria were carried out by electrospinning. The results demonstrate that this technique successfully immobilized P. agglomerans ISIB55 and B. caribensis ISIB40 because it did not affect the viability or beneficial properties of either rhizobacteria. Seed coating with nanofiber-immobilized rhizobacteria improved P. agglomerans ISIB55 and B. caribensis ISIB40 survival on seeds stored for 30 days and contributed to the successful colonization of both bacteria on the plant root. Moreover, seed coating with P. agglomerans ISIB55 increased germination, length and dry weight of the root. Furthermore, seed coating with B. caribensis ISIB40 increased leaf number and dry weight of the shoot. Therefore, the technique applied in the present work to coat seeds with nanofiber-immobilized PGPR could be considered a promising eco-friendly approach to improve soybean production using a microbial inoculant.
Highlights
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial soil bacteria that colonize roots and cause a positive effect on plants through direct and indirect mechanisms [1,2]
One of the aims of this work was the immobilization of two beneficial isolates (P. agglomerans ISIB55 and B. caribensis ISIB40) in polymers by electrospinning in order to evaluate the effect of this treatment on the efficacy and quality of these bacteria as inoculants
The survival of P. agglomerans ISIB55 and B. caribensis ISIB40 was evaluated to determine if the immobilization process, under different conditions, was capable of modifying bacterial viability
Summary
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial soil bacteria that colonize roots and cause a positive effect on plants through direct and indirect mechanisms [1,2]. Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the oilseed crops with the highest production and consumption worldwide. It is widely used in the food industry for numerous products [10], while soybean oil is used for biodiesel production as an alternative for energy generation [11,12]. The need arises for a better performance in soybean production based on the use of microbial inoculants that increase: a) rooting ability in the early stages, b) root surface for nutrient exchange between soil and plants and c) easy availability of essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus
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