Bacillus OSU-142 Research Articles

Effects of Bacteria and Iba on the Rooting of Citrange Citrus Rootstocks Cuttings

In this study, the effects of Agrobacterium rubi A-18 and Bacillus OSU-142 bacterial strains alone and in combination with 1000, 2000, 4000 ppm IBA on rooting of Carrizo citrange and Troyer citrange citrus rootstock in softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings were investigated. In the case of IBA solution, Agrobacterium rubi A-18 and Bacillus OSU-142 were prepared in solution at a concentration of 1x109 bacteria / ml and applied to cuttings of citrus. Application were performed in the mist propagation system. Cuttings kept in the fogging environment for 3 months removed at the end of this period, and their rooting rates (%), callus formation rates (%) and survival rates (%) determined. Based on the results of the study, the survival rates and callus formation rates of the cuttings of citrus were generally high at the end of the rooting period. The highest rooting rates in Carrizo citrange cuttings were detected in 4000 ppm IBA and OSU-142 + A-18 (13.33%) treatments for softwood cuttings, 4000 ppm IBA + OSU-142 (20.00%) in semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. In the Troyer citrange, OSU-142 + A-18 (6.67%) treatments for softwood cuttings, in 1000 ppm IBA for semi-hardwood, and in 4000 ppm IBA (13.33%) and 1000 ppm IBA treatment for hardwood cuttings, 2000 ppm IBA and OSU-142 (13.33%) the highest rooting has been treatments. According to the cuttings pick-up period, the rooting rates of Carrizo citrange are not different, at the Troyer citrange in the semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings was higher. As a result, it could be state that plant growth promoting bacteria and IBA applications have not effect on rooting in the softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings of the Carrizo citrange and Troyer citrange citrus rootstocks.

Effects of Bacteria and IBA on the Rooting of Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium L.) and Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata Raf.) Cuttings

In this study, the effects of Agrobacterium rubi A-18 and Bacillus OSU-142 bacterial strains alone and in combination with 1000, 2000, 4000 ppm IBA on rooting of bitter orange and trifoliate orange citrus rootstock in softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings were investigated. In the case of IBA solution, Agrobacterium rubi A-18 and Bacillus OSU-142 were prepared in solution at a concentration of 1x10 9 bacteria / ml and applied to steel. Application is made in the mist propagation system, in the perlite are planted in the environment. Steels kept in the fogging environment for 3 months were removed at the end of this period and rooting rates (%), callus formation rates (%) and survival rates (%) were determined. According to the results of the research, the rooting rates of the steels taken at different periods were found to be low. The highest rooting rates of bitter orange softwood cuttings were 2000 ppm IBA + OSU-142 (6.67%), semi-hardwood cuttings OSU-142 (20.00%), and 4000 ppm IBA + OSU-142 (20.00%) in hardwood cuttings. It has been not rooting in trifoliate orange softwood cuttings, the highest rooting was in the case of semi-hardwood cuttings with 4000 ppm IBA + OSU-142 (26.67%), in hardwood cuttings 1000 ppm IBA + OSU-142, 2000 ppm IBA + OSU-142, 4000 ppm IBA + OSU-142, 1000 ppm IBA + A-18, 2000 ppm IBA + A-18 and 4000 ppm IBA + A-18 (20.00%). According to the cuttings pick-up period, the rooting rates of bitter orange are not different between the periods, in the trifoliate orange the hardwood cuttings were found to be higher. As a result, it can be said that plant growth promoting bacteria and IBA applications have no effect on rooting in the softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings of the bitter orange and trifoliate orange citrus rootstocks, it can be said that studies on rooting in these rootstocks can be useful in different bacterial breeds

Effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.)

The sour cherry cv. ‘Kutahya’ is one of the most produced cultivars in Turkey. This study was conducted with cultivar ‘Kutahya’ cultivated on Prunus mahalep both 2010 and 2011 years. In this study, the effects of Bacillus mycoides T8 and Bacillus subtilis OSU-142 bacteria strains on yield, fruit properties and plant growth was aimed to investigate. Floral and foliar applications of T8, OSU-142 and T8+OSU-142 on sour cherry significantly increased the yield per tree, shoot length and leaf area, compared with the control. The highest shoot length was found in the T8+OSU-142 (51.74 cm) application while the least value was found in the control (46.71 cm). The yield increased from 8.229 kgtree−1 (in control) to 13.663 (T8 application) and to 11.660 kgtree−1 (T8+OSU-142 application) in average of two years. The results of the present study suggested that Bacillus T8 and Bacillus OSU-142, alone or in combination, have a great potential for the enhancement of yield and plant growth of sour cherry and therefore they have been suggested in growth promotion in sour cherry cultivation.

Rhizobacteria for reduced fertilizer inputs in wheat (Triticum aestivum spp. vulgare) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) on Aridisols in Turkey

The present study assessed the effect of seed inoculation with single or multiple plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) strains on yield in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum spp. vulgare var. Kirik) and barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Tokak) plants in both greenhouse and field conditions during the years 2007 and 2008. The treatments of wheat and barley plants during the first year included: (1) Control (no inoculation and no fertilizer), (2) Bacillus OSU-142 (B.OSU-142), (3) Bacillus megaterium M3 (B. megaterium M3), (4) Azospirillum brasilense Sp.245 (A. brasilense Sp.245), (5) Mixed 1 (B.OSU-142 + Bacillus M3 + Azospirillum AB-245), (6) Bacillus megaterium RC07 (B. megaterium RC07), (7) Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05, (8) Bacillus licheniformis RC08, (9) mineral nitrogen N1 (80 kg N ha -1 ) and (10) N2 (40 kg N ha -1 in the form of urea). In the second year treatments were: (1) Raoutella terrigena (R. Terrigena), (2) Burkholderia cepacia FS Tur (B. cepacia FS Tur), (3) B. OSU-142 ARM, (4) B. M3 ARM, (5) A. sp.245 ARM, (6) P. polymyxa RC14, (7) B. megaterium RC10, (8) Mixed 2 (Bacillus OSU-142+ Bacillus M3+ Azospirillum brasilense sp.245 + 40 kg N ha) in addition to the first year treatments. Greenhouse and the two years of field trials at two sites showed that seed inoculation with bacterial strains significantly affected yield, yield components and quality parameters both in spring wheat and barley. In greenhouse trials, single inoculations of seeds with PGPRs gave root and shoot weight increases by 11.0-16.5% and 14.4-30.4% in wheat and by 10.3-18.8% and 11.9-21.5% in barley. Combinations of three bacteria increased root and shoots weight by 18.3-31.5% in wheat and by 21.4-23.8 in barley and bacterial inoculations also increased grain yield by 4.3-18.5% in wheat and 8.3-19.1% in barley, respectively. In field

Analysis of two phenylpropanoid genes in Astragalus chrysochlorus

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of eed coating by N2-fixing and P-solubilizing PGPR strains on soil nzyme activities (dehydrogenase, urease, alkaline phosphates, nd acid phosphates) in relation to soil microbial population and heat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth in comparison to control nd optimum and half of N fertilizer doses application under eld condition in 2008. The treatments included control, Nitroen (40kgNha−1), Nitrogen (80kgNha−1), Bacillus OSU-142, (5) acillusM-3,Azospirillum sp.245, OSU-142+M-13+Azospirillum sp. 45, Bacillus megaterium RC07, Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05, Raoulella terrigena and Burkholderia BA7, OSU142 AMP Res, M-3 Amp es, sp.245 Amp Res, P. polymyxa 2/2, B. megaterium T17, and ixed+40kgNha−1. All PGPR inoculations and fertilizer applicaions significantly increased enzyme activities tested and plant utrient uptake of wheat compared to the control. The highest ehydrogenase activity was obtained from mixed inoculations ith three strains (OSU-142+M-13+Azospirillum sp. 245), and he highest urease activity was obtained form 80kgNha−1 and 0kgNha−1. The results indicated that the microbial inoculation nduced significant changes in the quality, chemical composition f plant nutrient content. oi:10.1016/j.copbio.2011.05.434

THE USE OF PGPR (PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA) IN ORGANIC APRICOT PRODUCTION

During the years 2000-2001, a study was conducted in Malatya province of Turkey to determine the effects of foliar application of bacteria Bacillus OSU-142 on yield, growth and control of disease (shot-hole) of apricot cv. Hacihaliloglu. In vitro production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by PGPR was also determined. The trees were sprayed with bacteria at 10 9 CFU/ml concentrations and results showed that Bacillus OSU-142 had the capacity to increase yield (approximately 41.0-58.5 kg/tree) and quality by reducing shot-hole disease severity (2.63-3.43) and incidence (5.0-24.67%).

Effects of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) on yield, growth and nutrient contents of organically grown strawberry

The effects of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) on the fruit yield, growth and nutrient element content of strawberry cv. Fern were investigated under organic growing conditions between 2006 and 2008. The experimental plot was a completely randomized design with 3 replicates. Three PGPB strains ( Pseudomonas BA-8, Bacillus OSU-142 and Bacillus M-3) were used alone or in combination as bio-fertilizer agent in the experiment. Data through 3 years showed that the use of PGPB significantly increased fruit yield, plant growth and leaf P and Zn contents. Root inoculation of M3 and floral and foliar spraying of OSU-142 and BA-8 bacteria stimulated plant growth resulting in significant yield increases. M3 + BA-8, BA-8 + OSU-142, M3, M3 + OSU-142 and BA-8 applications increased cumulative yield by 33.2%, 18.4%, 18.2%, 15.3% and 10.5%, respectively. Number of fruits per plant significantly increased by the applications of M3 + BA-8 (91.73) and M3 (81.58) compared with the control (68.66). In addition, P and Zn contents of strawberry leaves with bacterial inoculation significantly increased under organic growing conditions. Available P contents in soil were increased from 0.35 kg P 2O 5/da at the beginning of the study to 2.00, 1.97 and 1.82 kg P 2O 5/da by M3 + OSU-142, M3 + BA-8 and M3 + BA-8 + OSU-142 applications, respectively. Overall, the results of this study suggest that root inoculation of Bacillus M3 alone or in combination with spraying Bacillus OSU-142 or Pseudomonas BA-8 have the potential to increase the yield, growth and nutrition content of strawberry plant under organic growing conditions.

Effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on Yield and Some Fruit Properties of Strawberry

ABSTRACT Effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) [(Pseudomonas BA-8 (biological control agent), Bacillus OSU-142 (N2-fixing), and Bacillus M-3 (N2-fixing and phosphate solubilizing)] on yield and some fruit properties of strawberry cultivar ‘Selva’ in the province of Erzurum, Turkey in 2002–2003. Foliar + root application of PGPR strains significantly increased yield per plant as compared with the control. Root application of PGPR strains significantly increased total soluble solids, total sugar and reduced sugar, but decreased titratable acidity. It was also determined that bacteria applications have no important effect on the average fruit weight and pH. The results of this study suggested that Pseudomonas BA-8, Bacillus OSU-142 and Bacillus M-3 have potential for increasing yield in strawberry plant.

Fruit Bio-thinning by Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) in Apple cvs. Golden Delicious and Braeburn

ABSTRACT During 2006 and 2007, fruit thinning effects of three plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPB) strains (Bacillus OSU-142, Microbacterium R23 and Bacillus T7) and NAA (10 and 20 ppm) were tested in apple cvs. Golden Delicious and Braeburn in terms of fruit setting, yield, fruit weight, fruit firmness, total soluble solid (TSS), titratable acidity and shoot length in the province of Konya, Turkey. Bacterial strains were sprayed at 7, 14 and 21 days after full bloom, and NAA was sprayed at 21 days after full bloom. The results showed that NAA and bacterial treatments decreased fruit setting and number of fruit per tree at various ratios in both cultivars. The lowest fruit setting cvs. Golden Delicious and Braeburn were obtained from 20 ppm NAA treatment in both years. Among the bacterial treatments R23 (24.1% in 2006 and 39.1% in 2007) in Golden Delicious and R23 (11.6% in 2006) and T7 (17.3% in 2007) in Braeburn gave the lowest fruit setting ratio while fruit setting ratio in Golden Delicious and Braeburn were 36.7 and 46.2% (2006) and 12.8 and 28.2% (2007) in the control, respectively. The highest fruit number was found from the control in both cultivars and years. Fruit yield was significantly decreased in Golden Delicious by NAA treatments but not affected in Braeburn by thinning. The highest yield was found from the control in cvs. Golden Delicious and Braeburn in both years. However, fruit weight was significantly increased by NAA and bacterial treatments. While the lowest fruit weight was in the control in both cultivars and years, the highest fruit weight was in R23 in Golden Delicious (164.6 g in 2006) and T7 (138.7 g in 2006) and OSU-142 (173.5 g in 2007) treatments in Braeburn. Treatments of R23 and T7 significantly increased fruit firmness in Golden Delicious and Braeburn in both years, respectively compared with the control. NAA and bacterial applications also significantly increased TSS in Braeburn but not Golden Delicious. The results of this study suggest that Bacillus OSU-142, Microbacterium R23 and Bacillus T7 have the potential to be used as fruit thinning agents under organic and sustainable growing conditions on apple.

Floral and Foliar Application of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) to Apples Increases Yield, Growth, and Nutrient Element Contents of Leaves

ABSTRACT During 2003 and 2005, plant growth promoting effects of Pseudomonas BA-8 and Bacillus OSU-142 were tested alone or in combination on apple (Malus domestica L.) cvs. ‘Starkrimson’ and ‘Granny Smith’ in terms of yield, growth, and nutrient composition of leaves in the province of Karaman, Turkey. The presence of Pseudomonas BA-8, Bacillus OSU-142 and BA-8+OSU-142 stimulated plant growth and resulted in significant yield increases in both cultivars. Floral and foliar applications of PGPR strains significantly increased yield per trunk cross-section area (13.3–118.5%), fruit weight (4.2–7.5%), shoot length (20.8–30.1%), and shoot diameter (9.0–19.8%) in ‘Starkrimson’ and yield per Trunk Cross Sectional Area (TCSA; 14.9%) and fruit weight (6.5–8.7%) in ‘Granny Smith’ compared with the control. In addition, all nutrient elements' contents (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn) investigated in both cultivars, except Mg in ‘Starkrimson’, were significantly affected by bacterial applications when compared with the control. The highest N content was obtained from BA-8+OSU-142 application in cvs. ‘Starkrimson’ (2.29%) and ‘Granny Smith’ (2.33%). Phosphorus contents of leaves of ‘Starkrimson’ and ‘Granny Smith’ increased from 0.21 and 0.20% in the control to 0.26 and 0.24% by BA-8 application, to 0.28 and 0.24% by OSU-142 application and to 0.25 and 0.26% by BA-8+OSU-142 application, respectively. BA-8 application in ‘Starkrimson’ (1.90%) and OSU-142 applications in ‘Granny Smith’ (2.90%) significantly increased Ca content of leaves. The results of this study suggest that Pseudomonas BA-8 and Bacillus OSU-142 alone or in combination have the potential to increase the yield, growth, and nutrition of apple trees.

Effects of root inoculation of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on yield, growth and nutrient element contents of leaves of apple

From 2002 to 2006, plant growth promoting effects of Bacillus M3, Bacillus OSU-142 and Microbacterium FS01 were tested alone or in combination on apple ( Malus domestica L.) cv. Granny Smith in terms of yield, growth and nutrient composition of leaves in the province of Malatya, Turkey. The presence of M3 and/or OSU-142 and/or FS01 combinations stimulated plant growth and resulted in significant yield increases in Granny Smith. Root inoculation of PGPR strains significantly increased cumulative yield (26.0–88.0%), fruit weight (13.9–25.5%), shoot length (16.4–29.6%) and shoot diameter (15.9–18.4%) compared with the control. In addition, all nutrient element contents (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn and Zn) investigated in Granny Smith, except Mg was significantly affected by bacterial applications compared with the control. The highest N content (3.38%) was obtained from OSU-142 + FS01 application. Phosphorus contents of leaves of Granny Smith increased from 0.29% in the control to 0.42, 0.37, 0.36, 0.36 and 0.35% by M3, M3 + FS01, M3 + OSU-142, OSU-142 and M3 + OSU-142 + FS01 application, respectively. All bacterial applications significantly increased Ca content of leaves. The highest K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn content of leaves were obtained from OSU-142, M3, FS01, M3 and M3 + FS01 applications, respectively. The results of this study suggest that Bacillus M3 and/or OSU-142 and/or Microbacterium FS01 in combination have the potential to increase the yield, growth and nutrition of apple trees.

Effects of mineral and biofertilizers on barley growth on compacted soil

Biofertilizers are an alternative to mineral fertilizers for increasing soil productivity and plant growth in sustainable agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate possible effects of three mineral fertilizers and four plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains as biofertilizer on soil properties and seedling growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare) at three different soil bulk densities, and in three harvest periods. The application treatments included the control (without bacteria inoculation and mineral fertilizers), mineral fertilizers (N, NP and P) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria species (Bacillus licheniformis RC04, Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05, Pseudomonas putida RC06, and Bacillus OSU-142) in sterilized soil. The PGPR, fungi, seedling growth, soil pH, organic matter content, available P and mineral nitrogen were determined in soil compacted artificially to three bulk density levels (1.1, 1.25 and 1.40 Mg m−3) at 15, 30, and 45 days of plant harvest. The results showed that all the inoculated bacteria contributed to the amount of mineral nitrogen. Seed inoculation significantly increased the count of bacteria and fungi. Data suggest that seed inoculation of barley with PGPR strains tested increased root weight by 9–12.2%, and shoot weight by 29.7–43.3% compared with control. The N, NP and P application, however, increased root weight up to 18.2, 25.0 and 7.4% and shoot weight by 31.6, 43.4 and 26.4%, respectively. Our data show that PGPR stimulate barley growth and could be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizer. Soil compaction hampers the beneficial plant growth promoting properties of PGPR and should be avoided.

Effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on yield, growth and nutrient contents in organically growing raspberry

During 2003 and 2005, plant growth promoting effects of two Bacillus strains OSU-142 (N2-fixing) and M3 (N2-fixing and phosphate solubilizing) were tested alone or in combinations on organically grown primocane fruiting raspberry (cv. Heritage) plants in terms of yield, growth, nutrient composition of leaves and variation of soil nutrient element composition in the province of Erzurum, Turkey. The results showed that Bacillus M3 treatment stimulated plant growth and resulted in significant yield increase. Inoculation of raspberry plant roots and rhizosphere with M3 and/or OSU-142 + M3, significantly increased yield (33.9% and 74.9%), cane length (13.6% and 15.0%), number of cluster per cane (25.4% and 28.7%)and numberof berriesper cane(25.1% and 36.0%)compared withthe control,respectively.In addition, N,Pand Cacontents of raspberry leaves with OSU-142 + M3 treatment, and Fe and Mn contents of the leaves of raspberry with M3 and OSU-142 + M3 applications significantly improved under organic growing conditions. Bacterial applications also significantly effected soil total N, available P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn contents and pH. Available P contents in soil was determined to be increased from 1.55 kg P2O5/da at the beginning of the study to 2.83 kg P2O5/da by OSU-142, to 5.36 kg P2O5/da by M3 and to 4.71 kg P2O5/da by OSU-142 + M3 treatments. The results of this study suggest that Bacillus M3 alone or in combination with Bacillus OSU-142 have the potential to increase the yield, growth and nutrition of raspberry plant under organic growing conditions. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of floral and foliar application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on yield, growth and nutrition of sweet cherry

During 2003 and 2005, plant growth promoting effects of Pseudomonas BA-8 and Bacillus OSU-142 were tested alone or combinations on sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L.) cv. 0900 Ziraat in terms of yield, growth, nutrient composition of leaves in the province of Konya, Turkey. The presence of Pseudomonas BA-8, Bacillus OSU-142 and BA-8 + OSU-142 stimulated plant growth and resulted in significant yield increase. Floral and foliar applications of BA-8, OSU-142 and BA-8 + OSU-142 in sweet cherry significantly increased yield per trunk cross-sectional area (16.3, 10.9 and 21.7%), fruit weight (4.15, 5.37 and 1.24%) and shoot length (11.3, 11.8 and 29.6%), respectively, compared with the control. In addition, N, P and K contents of sweet cherry leaves with BA-8, OSU-142 and BA-8 + OSU-142 treatments, Fe and Zn contents of leaves with BA-8 + OSU-142 treatment and Mn content of the leaves of sweet cherry with BA-8 and OSU-142 applications significantly increased. Nitrogen, P and K contents in leaves were determined to be increased from 2.00, 0.17 and 0.43% in the control to 2.19, 0.20 and 0.54% by BA-8 application, to 2.32, 0.24 and 0.54% by OSU-142 application and to 2.43, 0.22 and 0.51% by BA-8 + OSU-142 application, respectively. Co-inoculation of BA-8 + OSU-142 increased Fe and Zn contents of leaves up to 50.5 and 35.5% compared with the control, respectively. Manganese content of leaves significantly also increased by BA-8 (26.6%) and OSU-142 (27.0%) applications compared with the control. The results of the present study suggested that Pseudomonas BA-8 and Bacillus OSU-142 alone or in combination have a great potential to increase the yield, growth and nutrition of sweet cherry plant.

Effects of Some Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on Graft Union of Grapevine

ABSTRACT In this study, effects of topical applications of three plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains (Pseudomonas BA8, Bacillus BA16 and Bacillus OSU142) on graft union were evaluated in terms of success rate, callusing rate, callusing degree and full callusing rate on four different rootstock-scion combinations including 41B-Beyaz Çavuş, 41B-Italia, 5BB-Beyaz Çavuş and 5BB-Italia. The results showed that in general all of the bacterial strains had significant effects on all parameters tested in all rootstock-scion combinations compared with the control. Application of Pseudomonas BA8 in 41B-Beyaz Çavuş, Bacillus OSU142 in 41B-Italia, Pseudomonas BA8 in 5BB-Beyaz Çavuş, and Bacillus BA16 and Bacillus OSU142 in 5BB-Italia combination increased the success rate (83.3%, 93.3%, 80.0% and 86.7%, respectively) compared with the control (23.3%, 80.0%, 60.0% and 70.0%, respectively). Application of PGPR also increased the callusing rate, callusing degree and full callusing rate in all rootstock-scion combinations compared with control. Among the bacteria strains tested, Pseudomonas BA8 was the most effective PGPR strain which can be used for graft union of grapevine grown in commercial, sustainable or organic agriculture.

Sugar beet and barley yields in relation to inoculation with N2-fixing and phosphate solubilizing bacteria

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in bioorganic fertilizers as part of sustainable agricultural practices to alleviate drawbacks of intensive farming practices. N2-fixing and P-solubilizing bacteria are important in plant nutrition increasing N and P uptake by the plants, and playing a significant role as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in the biofertilization of crops. A study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of two N2-fixing (OSU-140 and OSU-142) and a strain of P-solubilizing bacteria (M-13) in single, dual and three strains combinations on sugar beet and barley yields under field conditions in 2001 and 2002. The treatments included: (1) Control (no inoculation and fertilizer), (2) Bacillus OSU-140, (3) Bacillus OSU-142, (4) Bacillus M-13, (5) OSU-140 + OSU-142, (6) OSU-140 + M-13, (7) OSU-142 + M-13, (8) OSU-140 + OSU-142 + M-13, (9) N, (10) NP. N and NP plots were fertilized with 120 kg N ha−1 and 120 kg N ha−1 + 90 kg P ha- for sugar beet and 80 kg N ha−1 and 80 kg N ha−1 + 60 kg P ha−1 for barley. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with five replicates. All inoculations and fertilizer applications significantly increased leaf, root and sugar yield of sugar beet and grain and biomass yields of barley over the control. Single inoculations with N2-fixing bacteria increased sugar beet root and barley yields by 5.6–11.0% depending on the species while P-solubilizing bacteria alone gave yield increases by 5.5–7.5% compared to control. Dual inoculation and mixture of three bacteria gave increases by 7.7–12.7% over control as compared with 20.7–25.9% yield increases by NP application. Mixture of all three strains, dual inoculation of N2-fixing OSU-142 and P-solubilizing M-13, and/or dual inoculation N2-fixing bacteria significantly increased root and sugar yields of sugar beet, compared with single inoculations with OSU-140 or M-13. Dual inoculation of N2-fixing Bacillus OSU-140 and OSU-142, and/or mixed inoculations with three bacteria significantly increased grain yield of barley compared with single inoculations of OSU-142 and M-13. In contrast with other combinations, dual inoculation of N2-fixing OSU-140 and P-solubilizing M-13 did not always significantly increase leaf, root and sugar yield of sugar beet, grain and biomass yield of barley compared to single applications both with N2-fixing bacteria. The beneficial effects of the bacteria on plant growth varied significantly depending on environmental conditions, bacterial strains, and plant and soil conditions.