Iron biofortification in mungbean using siderophore producing plant growth promoting bacteria

Abstract

Iron is one of the essential elements for most organisms and for proper plant growth. Present study revealed that isolates Pantoea dispersa MPJ9 and Pseudomonas putida MPJ6 were potent iron chelating rhizobacteria which possess siderophore activity 89.9% and 85.3% respectively, under iron limited environment. Threshold level of iron for siderophore production was observed at 15 µM iron concentration. Isolates have potential of producing plant growth promoting attributes. Catecholate type siderophore were detected by HPLC showed peak at retention time of 2.9 and 4.6 min. Pot study results revealed at harvest time, bio-inoculum treated plants significantly increased vegetative parameters, iron content (100.3 ppm), protein (0.52 g/g), carbohydrates (0.67 g/g) as compared to un-inoculated plants, indicating that use of siderophore producing isolates could result in enhancement of iron content of the mungbean.