Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) biomass and its allied attributes were assessed under salinity stress and three plant growthpromoting rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida and Azotobacter vinelandii) treatments. The three PGPRs inocula exhibited a different pattern of shoot growth under both normal and saline stress conditions. Plant biomass, carbohydrates, protein and chlorophyll content were reduced by saline stress, however application of PGPRs treatments improved them either in comparison to control samples or to untreated samples under saline stress. Lipids and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase) increased as a response for saline stress as an indication of oxidative stress. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria treatment restored them to semi-normal levels. Sodium/ potassium balance was observed to be disturbed by saline stress through higher levels of Na+ and lower levels of K+, but treating samples balance was clearly restored close to normal conditions especially in the root system.
Highlights
Biofertilizers diminish the need for expensive chemical fertilizers in crop farming systems because of they are an inexpensive source of nitrogen that increase crop yields
Maize biomass in terms of plant height, stem diameter, leaf surface area, and plant dry weight was investigated in relation to saline stress (0, 35, and 70 mM) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Azotobacter vinelandii, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida ) treatments
P. fluorescens was inferior to A. vinelandii as it was able to increase plant height in untreated samples to 131 cm in normal conditions while it was 29.17% more than untreated sample at 35 mM saline stress and no significant increase at 70 mM
Summary
Biofertilizers diminish the need for expensive chemical fertilizers in crop farming systems because of they are an inexpensive source of nitrogen that increase crop yields. The mechanisms by which PGPRs promote plant growth are not fully understood, some mechanisms include gibberellic acid and/or cytokinins production, nitrogen fixation, and solubilization of mineral phosphate and other nutrients [7]. Subramaniyan et al [9] stated, “the application of biofertilizers improved the total carbohydrate, protein, amino nitrogen and chlorophyll content of of Zea mays”. LHS11) were previously isolated from rhizosphere of wheat, maize, oat in arid fields,. These strains were proofed to stimulate these plant growth under controlled conditions via in vitro and pot experiments [10,11]
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