Influence of nitrogen fertilisation on pasture culturable rhizobacteria occurrence and the role of environmental factors on their potential PGPR activities

Abstract

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) naturally occur in the rhizospheres of pasture, but still little is understood regarding how soil agricultural practices affect them. Here, we examined the effects of long-term nitrogen (N) fertilisation on the occurrence of potential culturable PGPR in rhizosphere soils from pastures grown in Chilean Andisols. We also evaluated in vitro the effects of organic acids (citric, malic and oxalic acids), metals (Al and Mn) and N supply (urea and ammonium sulphate) on indole acetic acid (IAA) production and phosphorus (P) liberation by selected strains. Compared with non-N-fertilised pasture, N fertilisation significantly increased (30%) the occurrence of culturable phosphobacteria but decreased (7%) the occurrence of IAA-producing rhizobacteria. Most efficient IAA-producing phosphobacteria were identified as Bacillus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Serratia. At low pH (4.8), the assays showed that the IAA production by Serratia sp. N0-10LB was increased (31–74%) by organic acids. On the other hand, the IAA production by Pseudomonas sp. N1-55PA was increased two- to fivefold by metals. In all strains, the growth and IAA production were significant decreased by 500 μM of Al, except Serratia sp. N0-10LB, suggesting its potential as PGPR for Chilean Andisols. When urea was added as main N source, the bacterial growth and P utilisation significantly increased compared with ammonium sulphate. The influence of environmental factors that are typical of Chilean Andisols on rhizobacterial communities will provide better management practices to enhance their PGPR functions as well as a better selection biofertilisers to be used in Chilean Andisols.