Seed Bacterization with Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. Enhances Nutrient Uptake and Growth of Cajanus cajan L.

Abstract

Among plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are an important group affecting plant growth. Pigeon pea is an important pulse crop and most of the studies were aimed at using Pseudomonas spp. for pest management in pigeon pea. Seventy-five fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from diverse agroecosystems of India and evaluated for their plant-growth-promoting ability, primarily by the paper cup method. Seventeen selected isolates were further evaluated by short-term pot assay for plant growth promotion. Seeds treated with bacteria showed greater nutrient concentration and growth than the control. Isolate P17 showed significant growth promotion in terms of root length (54.5 cm), dry mass (323 mg), chlorophyll (24 spad units), carbohydrates (21.2 percent), nitrogen (2.45 percent), calcium (1.82 percent), iron (984 ppm), and manganese (564 ppm). Pseudomonas sp. P17 strain was identified as a potential PGPR for nutrient uptake and plant growth promotion in pigeon pea, and this finding paves a way for integrated plant nutrient management in rainfed agroecosystems.

Keywords:

• Nutrient uptake
• pigeon pea
• plant growth
• Pseudomonas spp
• rainfed agroecosystem

Additional information

Funding

Financial support by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India, under a network project on Application of Microorganisms in Agriculture and Allied Sectors (AMAAS)—Nutrient Management and Plant Growth Promotion is gratefully acknowledged.