Bio-Priming Effect Of Three Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi On Seed Germination And Seedling Development Of Faba Bean (Vicia Faba)

Abstract

Germination and seedling establishment are critical stages in the plant life cycle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of phosphate solubilizing fungi on seed germination and seedling growth of Faba bean. Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient next to nitrogen required by plant for vital biosynthesis. Factorial experiment based a completely randomized block design with three replications were used. This experiment had two factors, the first factor with one level of bean cultivar. In the second factor, three levels of phosphate solubilizer fungi were applied as treatments. Single inoculation of each strain was done. The results revealed that seed treated withTrichosporon beigelii B, C. albidus var aurius, Phichia norvegensis and Control showed 780.43, 749.93, 618.23, 500.73 seedling vigor index respectively and improved germination rates up to 91%. The highest mean growth of plumule length (5.6 cm) and radicle length (3.42) within 15 days growth recorded by Trichosporon beigelii B, and C.albidus var aurius respectively. The results of this study suggest that T. begili and C. albidus var aurius have the potential to increase the growth and development of plumul size, radicle length, and fresh biomass of Faba bean seed. Bio-priming is a promising technique for vital application of using beneficial microbes to promote seed germination and seedling development through phytase enzyme production, phyto hormone production, phosphate solubilization and other plant growth promoting properties as well as bio control activities.