Germination Characteristics of Cucumber Influenced by Plant Growth–promoting Rhizobacteria

ABSTRACT

Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) represent a wide genera of rhizospheric bacteria that, when introduced in association with the host plant at optimum concentration, can enhance plant growth. Experiments were conducted to determine the germination response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) to PGPR inoculation. Seed were inoculated with strains of Azospirillum brasilense Sp7, Sp7-S, and Sp245, Herbaspirillum seropedicea, and Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN^T. Germination was increased by up to 9% by strains of A. brasilense Sp7 and Sp245 and H. seropedicea. All PGPR strains consistently enhanced the germination vigor index; plants produced longer and heavier roots. These PGPR benefit cucumber germination.

KEYWORDS:

• Azospirillum
• Cucumis sativus
• PGPR
• seed inoculation
• seedling emergence

Acknowledgment

We are grateful to the University of Sydney for providing us the needed equipment and facilities during the conduct of the study. The first author is thankful to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for the research scholarship through a John Allwright Fellowship.