Abstract
The objective of this study was to screen the potential of four plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for growth promotion in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and suppression of Striga hermonthica development. Bacillus subtilis Bsn5, B. subtilis GBO3, B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42 and Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN were evaluated under controlled conditions in growth chambers. After 28 days of growth, the effect of selected PGPR on sorghum plant height, leaf chlorophyll (SPAD) value, biomass dry matter (DM), number of germinated and attached Striga plants and number of Striga plants that developed tubercles was analyzed. Inoculated Striga-free sorghum plants were significantly taller, with higher leaf chlorophyll SPAD values and higher dry matter than uninoculated Striga-free plants. However, there were no differences in sorghum height, SPAD value and DM between inoculated and uninoculated Striga-infected sorghum plants. In the absence of PGPR inoculation, differences in DM were observed between Striga-free and Striga-infected sorghum. Compared to the untreated control, Striga seed germination was lower in the sorghum plants treated with B. subtilis GBO3 and B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42. Of the germinated Striga seeds, the percentage that attached to the sorghum plant was lowest (23%) in the B. subtilis GBO3 treatment. The percentage of dead Striga tubercles in the PGPR treatments ranged between 35 and 59%, compared to 3% in the untreated control. This study identified B. subtilis GBO3, B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42 and Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN with promising potential to promote sorghum growth and suppress Striga.
Published Version
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