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Non-pathogenic Staphylococcus strains augmented the maize growth through oxidative stress management and nutrient supply under induced salt stress

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Abstract

Purpose

The present study was conducted to elucidate the role of phytobeneficial bacteria to control the cellular oxidative damage in maize (Zea mays L.) plants caused by salinity.

Methods

Bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca L.) through serial dilution method and taxonomically identified on the basis of their 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. In vitro phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity were evaluated by solubilization index measurement, colorimetric method, and turbidity assay, respectively. In the pot experiment, the impact of single and mixed inoculation of these strains at four levels (0, 50, 100, and 200 mM) of salt stress was evaluated in terms of growth and physiological response of maize plants to salinity.

Results

The bacterial strains (STN-1, STN-5, and STN-14) were taxonomically classified as Staphylococcus spp. At 5% NaCl level, the strains demonstrated substantial potential for phosphate solubilization, ACC deaminase activity, and IAA production both with and without tryptophan. The inoculation of strains STN-1, STN-5, and mixed inoculation resulted in substantial growth improvement of maize plants along with increased antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species. In addition, single inoculation of STN-1 and STN-5 along with mixed inoculation augmented the uptake of N, P, K, and Ca+2 and reduced Na+ uptake.

Conclusion

Current results demonstrated that the strains STN-1 and STN-5 modulated stress-responsive mechanisms and regulated ion balance in induced salinity to promote maize growth.

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Funding

This research work was funded by GCUF-RSP research grant (project no. 38-B&B-15) entitled “Development of salt-tolerant biofertilizer for saline agriculture in Pakistan.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Muhammad Shahid, Temoor Ahmed, Muhammad Noman & Muhammad Rizwan Javed

  2. Department of Botany, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Muhammad Tariq Javed

  3. Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University, Vehari Campus, Vehari, Pakistan

    Muhammad Tahir

  4. Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, Pakistan

    Shahid Masood Shah

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  1. Muhammad Shahid
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Correspondence to Muhammad Shahid.

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Shahid, M., Ahmed, T., Noman, M. et al. Non-pathogenic Staphylococcus strains augmented the maize growth through oxidative stress management and nutrient supply under induced salt stress. Ann Microbiol 69, 727–739 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-019-01464-9

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