Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of salinity, gibberellic acid and Azospirillum inoculation on growth and nitrogen uptake of Zea mays

  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the possible interaction of salinity (osmotic potential -0.3, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa) and occurrence of Azospirillum lipoferum or exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) (100 µg g-1) on growth and some physiological parameters of maize. 15N-uptake as well as the percentage of nitrogen derived from 15N-fertilizer were decreased by increasing the NaCl concentrations and completely inhibited at concentrations corresponding to osmotic potentials -0.9 and -1.2 MPa. The percentage of nitrogen originating from N2 fixation was significantly correlated to the total counts of Azospirillum cells that colonized the histosphere. At high NaCl concentrations although no significant changes in N % in shoot dry mass either in inoculated or uninoculated plants were observed, the total N-yield [mg(N) pot-1] was decreased. Fresh and dry shoot mass significantly increased by Azospirillum inoculation. Azospirillum and GA3 treatments were positively correlated with most of the parameters analysed. Azospirillum inoculation or GA3 application at NaCl concentrations up to -1.2 MPa significantly increased the chlorophyll, K, Ca, soluble saccharides and protein contents as compared with control plants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdel-Wahab, A.M., Zahran, H.H.: Effects of salt stress on nitrogenase activity and growth of four legumes.-Biol. Plant. 23:16-23, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdul-Kadir, S.M., Paulsen, G.M.: Effect of salinity on nitrogen metabolism in wheat.-J. Plant Nutr. 5: 1141-1151, 1982.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Rawahy, S.A., Stroehlein, J.L., Pessarrakli, M.: Dry matter yield and nitrogen-15, Na, Cl, and K content of tomatoes under sodium chloride stress.-J. Plant Nutr. 15: 341-358, 1992.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, N.M., Naylor, A.W.: Amino acids and protein metabolism in Bermuda grass during water stress.-Plant Pysiol. 41: 1222-1230, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bashan, Y., Harrison, S.K., Whitmayer, R.E.: Enhanced growth of wheat and soybean plants inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense is not due to general enhanced of mineral uptake.-Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 56: 769-775, 1990.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bejaoui, M.: Interactions between NaCl and some phytohormones on soybean growth.-J. Plant Physiol. 120: 95-110, 1985.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bekki, A., Trinchant, J. C., Rigaud, J.: Nitrogen fixation (C2H2 reduction) by Medicago nodules and bacteriods under sodium chloride stress.-Physiol. Plant. 71: 61-67, 1987.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, L., Francois, L.E., Clark, R.A.: Interactive effects of salinity and fertility on yields of grain and vegetables.-Agron. J. 66: 412-421, 1974.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boddey, R.M., Victoria, R.L.: Estimation of biological nitrogen fixation associated with Brachiaria and Paspalum grasses using 15N labeled organic matter and fertilizer.-Plant Soil 90: 265-292, 1986.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boucaud, J., Unger, I.A.: Influence of hormonal treatments on the growth of two halophytic species of Suaeda.-Amer. J. Bot. 63: 694-699, 1976.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caballero-Mellado, G., Carcano Mantiel, M.G., Mascaarua-Esparza, M.A.: Field inoculation of wheat (Triticum aestivum) with Azospirillum brasilense under temperate climate.-Symbiosis 13: 243-253, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochram, W. G.: Estimation of bacterial densities by means of most probable number.-Biometric 6: 105-116, 1950.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordovilla, M.P., Ligero, F., Lluch, C.: The effect of salinity on nitrogen fixation and assimilation in Vicia faba.-J. exp. Bot. 45: 1483-1488, 1994.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devitt, D. A., Stolzy, L., Labonauskas, C.K.: Impact of potassium, sodium and salinity on the protein and free amino acids content of wheat grain.-Plant Soil 103: 101-109, 1987.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dobereiner, J.: The Brazilian program in biological nitrogen fixation.-In: Graham, P.H., Harris, S.C. (ed.): BNF Technology for Tropical Agriculture. Pp. 687-688. CIAT, Cali 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobereiner, J., Day, J. M.: Physiological aspects of N2 fixation by Azospirillum from Digitaria roots.-Soil Biol. Biochem. 8: 45-50, 1976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Komy, H.M.: Ecological and physiological studies on the genus Azospirillum from the rhizosphere of maize and rice plants.-Ph.D. Thesis. Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, Russian Acad. Agr. Sci., Sankt Peterburg 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Rewainy, H. M.: Studies on use of azospirilla for improving growth and yield of some non-leguminous plants.-Ph.D. Thesis. Dept. of Soils and Water, Fac. Agr., Assiut Univ., Assiut 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fales, F.W.: The assimilation and degradation of carbohydrates of yeast cells.-J. biol. Chem. 193: 113-118, 1951.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fried, M., Middleboe, V.: Measurement of amount of nitrogen fixed by a legume crop.-Plant Soil 47: 713-715, 1977.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frota, J.N.E., Tucker, T.C.: Absorption rates of ammonia and nitrate by red kidney beans under salt and water stress.-Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 42: 753-756, 1978.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giller, K.E., Day, J.M.: Nitrogen fixation in the rhizosphere: significance in nature and agricultural systems.-In: Filter, A.H., Atkinson, D., Read, D.J., Usher, M.B. (ed.): Ecological Interaction in Soil. Pp. 127-147. Blackwell Scientific, Oxford 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamdia, H.A.: Physiological studies of some plants to salinity injury.-Ph.D. Thesis, Minia University, Minia 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Handa, S., Bressan, R.A., Handa, A.K., Carpita, N.C., Hasegawa, P.M.: Solutes contributing to osmotic adjustment in cultured plant cells adapted to water stress.-Plant Physiol. 73: 834-843, 1983.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hegazi, N.A.: Contribution of Azospirillum spp. a symbiotic N2-fixation in Egypt.-In: Klingmuller, W. (ed.): Azospirillum II — Genetics, Physiology, Ecology. Pp. 171-189. Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishac, Y.Z., El-Haddad, M.E., El-Borollosy, M.A., Eweda, W.E., Giris, M.G.Z.: Studies on Azospirillum in Egypt. I — Densities as affected by some ecological factors.-In: Proc. 2nd AABNF Conference. Pp. 450-468. Cairo 1988.

  • Itai, C., Wayers, J.D.B., Hillman, J.R., Meidner, H., Willmer, C. M.: Abscisic acid and guard cells of Commelina communis L.-Nature 271: 652-654, 1978.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, W., Okon, Y., Hardy, R.W.F.: Enhanced mineral uptake by Zea mays and Sorghum bicolor roots inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense.-Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 45: 1175-1779, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry, O.H., Roserbrogh, N.J., Farr, A.L., Ramadall, R.J.: Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent.-J. biol. Chem. 193: 265-275, 1951.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Makboul, H.E., Fayez, N., Eman, N.F., El-Shahawy, R.: Nitrogen-fixing azospirilla in some soils of Egypt.-In: Proc. V. Conference of Microbiology. Vol. II. Soils and Water Microbiology. Cairo 1983.

  • Martin, A.E., Burgess, B.K., Ismaa, S.E., Smart, C.T., Dean, D.R.: Construction and characterization of an Azotobacter vinelandii strain with mutations in the genes encoding flavodoxin and ferredoxin.-J. Bacteriol. 171: 3162-3167, 1989.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Metzner, H., Rau, H., Senger, H.: Untersuchungen zur Synchronisierbarkeit einzelner Pigment-Mangel Mutanten von Chlorella.-Planta 65: 186-194, 1965.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammad, M., Campbell, W.F., Rumbaugh, M.D.: Variation in salt tolerance of alfalfa.-Arid Soil Rehabil. 3: 11-20, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, S., Stein, W.: Photometric Ninhydrine Method for Use in the Chromatography of Amino Acids.-Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, New York 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  • Omay, S.H., Schmidt, W.A., Martin, P.: Indole acetic acid production by the rhizosphere bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd. under in vitro conditions.-Can. J. Microbiol. 39: 187-192, 1993.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pessarakli, M., Tucker, T.C.: Dry matter yield and nitrogen-15 uptake by tomato under NaCl stress.-Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 52: 698-700, 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Picconi, P., Bottini, R.: Effect of C/N ratio, N content, pH and inoculation time on growth and gibberelin production by Azospirillum lipoferum.-Symbiosis 17: 229-236, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, A.V., Venkateswarlu, B.: Salt tolerance of Azospirillum brasilense.-Acta microbiol. hung. 32: 221-224, 1985.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reinhold, B., Hurek, T., Fendrik, I., Pot, B., Gillis, M., Kertsers, K., Thielemans, D., De Ley, J.: Azospirillum halopreaferans sp. nov., a nitrogen fixing organism associated with roots of kallar grasses (Leptochloa fusca L. Kunth).-Int. J. system. Bacteriol. 37: 43-51, 1987.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rennie, R.J.: 15N-isotope dilution as a measure of dinitrogen fixation by Azospirillum brasilense associated with maize.-Can. J. Bot. 58: 21-24, 1980.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rennie, R.J.: Defreitas, J.R., Ruschel, A.P., Vose, P.B.: 15N-isotope dilution to quantify nitrogen fixation associated with Canadian and Brazilian wheat.-Can. J. Bot. 61: 1667-1671, 1983.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rice, I.: Utility of phyllosphere N2-fixing microorganisms in the improvement of crop growth.-Plant Soil 68: 55-67, 1982.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzenbach, G., Biedermann, W.: Complexons X. Alkaline earth complexes of O,O-dihydroxyazodyes.-Helv. chim. Acta 31: 678-687, 1948.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singleton, P.W.: A split-root growth system for evaluating the effect of salinity on components of the soybean Rhizobium japonicum symbiosis.-Crop Sci. 23: 259-262, 1983.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Starck, Z., Karwowska, R.: Effect of salt stress on the hormonal regulation of growth, photosynthesis and distribution of 14C-assimilates in bean plants.-Acta Soc. Bot. Pol. 47: 245-267, 1978.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steel, R.G., Torrie, J.H.: Principles and Procedures of Statistics.-McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaddad, M.A., El-Tayeb, M.A.: Interactive effects of soil moisture content and hormonal treatments on dry matter and pigment contents of some crop plants.-Acta agron. hung. 39: 49-57, 1990.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, A.M., Dumbroff, B.E.: Effect of salt stress on abscisic and cytokinin levels in tomato.-Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 101: 461-470, 1981.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, A., Berry, W.L.: Toxicity — the concept and relationship to the dose response curve.-J. Plant Nutr. 3: 13-19, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weil, R.R., Khalil, N.A.: Salinity tolerance of winged beans as compared to that of soybean.-J. Agron. 78: 67-70, 1986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, V., Twine, S.: Flame photometric methods for sodium, potassium, and calcium.-In: Paech, K., Tracey, M.V. (ed.): Modern Methods of Plants Analysis. Vol. V. Pp. 3-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahran, H.H.: Conditions for successful Rhizobium-legume in saline environments.-Biol. Fertil. Soils 12: 73-80, 1991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, 61111, Egypt

    M.A. Hamdia & H.M. El-Komy

Authors
  1. M.A. Hamdia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H.M. El-Komy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hamdia, M., El-Komy, H. Effect of salinity, gibberellic acid and Azospirillum inoculation on growth and nitrogen uptake of Zea mays. Biologia Plantarum 40, 109–120 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1000904819841

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1000904819841

Search

Navigation