Effect of plant growth promoting bacteria on early growth of wheat cultivars

Abstract

Wheat is one of the most important grains. Its consumption is increasing globally. Many countries are making efforts to increase the extent of wheat harvest. It is known that plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) have beneficial effects on various plants. Two PGPRs including Paenibacillus pabuli strain P7S (PP7S) and Pseudomonas nitroreducens strain IHB (PnIHB) were employed to investigate effects of PGPRs on early growth of three wheat cultivars (Koso, Seakumkang, and Jokyung). While PP7S had adverse effects on Seakumkang and Jokyung, PP7S had positive effects on Koso except root length compared to control group having no treatment of PP7S. However, all treatments with PnIHB had adverse effects on germination rate, root/shoot lengths, vigor index, and dry root/ shoot weights of all three wheat cultivars. These positive effects with PP7S on Koso might be related to the earlier emergence of wheat seed above soil which is known to be an indicator of increased yield. Results of the present study suggest that if proper PGPR strains are selected, they could have positive effects on early growth rate of a wheat cultivar. © The Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry 2019.