Inoculation of soil by Bacillus subtilis Y-IVI improves plant growth and colonization of the rhizosphere and interior tissues of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Abstract

Laboratory tests and greenhouse experiments were carried out to investigate the abilities of Bacillus subtilis Y-IVI to promote plant growth and to colonize the rhizosphere and interior tissues of muskmelon. Laboratory tests showed that B. subtilis Y-IVI can produce indole acetic acid, siderophores, and ammonia. The inoculation of soil with green fluorescent protein-tagged Y-IVI (GY-IVI) significantly increased plant shoot and root dry weights as compared with the non-inoculated soils. The inoculation of soil with B. subtilis GY-IVI maintained approximately 108 colony-forming units (cfu) of GY-IVI per gram of dry rhizosphere soil for 1 month. The GY-IVI recovered from the interior of crowns and roots in the inoculated soil were 106 and 107 cfu g−1 dry weight, respectively, suggesting that GY-IVI acted as an endophyte. In the present study, we combined the two important growth promotion ingredients, colonization ability and growth promotion metabolites produced by biological agents, to investigate B. subtilis Y-IVI’s promotion effects on muskmelon growth.