Effect of Free and Encapsulated Raoultella Planticola Rs-2 on Cotton Growth Promotion Under Salt Stress

Abstract

The effectiveness of free and encapsulated Raoultella planticola Rs-2 inoculants in promoting cotton growth under salinity stress were investigated. The germination and seedling rates of cotton seeds inoculated with encapsulated Rs-2 (CRs-2-S) were more higher than those of cotton seeds treated with free Rs-2 (FRs-2-S) and non-inoculated strain (CK-S) under salt stress. Meanwhile, the root length, shoot length, and biomass of cotton plants in CRs-2-S increased compared with those of plants in FRs-2-S and CK-S. Moreover, the content of photosynthetic pigments of cotton leaves, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase of cotton seedlings in CRs-2-S treatment were greater than those in FRs-2-S and CK-S treatments. The proline and malendialdehyde contents of cotton seedlings in CRs-2-S decreased compared with FRs-2-S and CK-S-treated seedlings. The nutritional elemental uptake of cotton plants in CRs-2-S treatment was enhanced and the accumulation of sodium decreased compared with FRs-2-S and CK-S plants. Results demonstrate that encapsulated Rs-2 has more potential positive effects on cotton seedlings than free cells.