Abstract
ABSTRACT Endophytic bacteria with multifunctional characteristics can benefit plants through different mechanisms, as well as promoting growth in an efficient, low-cost and ecofriendly way. This study analyzed the potential of the multifunctional endophytic isolate Acinetobacter lwoffii Bac109 in promoting the early in vitro growth of sugarcane seedlings. The Bac109 strain showed potential to solubilize phosphate in a solid medium (solubilization index: 3.73). In addition, the bacterium was an efficient biocontrol agent against the phytopathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Phoma sp. and Bipolaris papendorfii, showing a performance equal to or better than the commercial antifungal hygromycin B. An in vitro assay confirmed the biofilm production, which increased in the presence of sugarcane root extract. Additionally, A. lwoffii Bac109 showed a strong adhesion to the sugarcane roots. The inoculation of this bacterium in micropropagated sugarcane seedlings increased the shoot length (35 %) and regulated the nonphotochemical energy dissipation after 28 days of cultivation. At the end of the experiment, the bacterium showed a great potential for survival, with 5.72 × 107 CFU mL-1 recovered from the substrate, what is crucial for plant interaction. The results showed the potential of the biotechnology application for A. lwoffii Bac109 by evaluating multifunctional traits of plant growth promotion and by specific interactions with sugarcane, which may help to improve micropropagation protocols for this crop.
Highlights
Brazil is the world’s largest producer and exporter of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) (Conab 2019)
At the end of the experiment, the bacterium showed a great potential for survival, with 5.72 × 107 CFU mL-1 recovered from the substrate, what is crucial for plant interaction
The results showed the potential of the biotechnology application for A. lwoffii Bac109 by evaluating multifunctional traits of plant growth promotion and by specific interactions with sugarcane, which may help to improve micropropagation protocols for this crop
Summary
Brazil is the world’s largest producer and exporter of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) (Conab 2019) This crop is of great importance to the Brazilian economy, generating millions of dollars annually through the production of sugar, ethanol, bagasse and other derivatives (Barnabas et al 2015). Micropropagation protocols have been developed for the large scale production of sugarcane, with techniques that allow to obtain uniform clones with high phytosanitary standards, as well as reduced time and space requirements (Kumari et al 2017). Their use may affect plant growth promoting microorganisms by reducing the endophytic bacteria population. These bacteria inhabit the interior of plant tissues, and their (re)introduction can benefit plant growth, accelerating its development, protecting against pathogens and reducing production costs (Pereira et al 2019)
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