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Application of plant growth-promoting bacteria associated with composts and macrofauna for growth promotion of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

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Abstract

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) were reported to influence the growth, yield, and nutrient uptake by an array of mechanisms. We selected seven different plant growth-promoting traits and antagonistic ability to screen 207 bacteria isolated from composts. Fifty-four percent of PGPB were from farm waste compost (FWC), 56% from rice straw compost (RSC), 64% from Gliricidia vermicompost (GVC), and 41% from macrofauna associated with FWC. Twelve isolates based on different plant growth-promoting traits and seed vigor index were evaluated at glasshouse for plant growth-promoting activity on pearl millet. Seven isolates significantly increased shoot length and ten isolates showed significant increase in leaf area, root length density, and plant weight. Maximum increase in plant weight was by Serratia marcescens EB 67 (56%), Pseudomonas sp. CDB 35 (52%), and Bacillus circulans EB 35 (42%). Plant growth-promoting activity of composts and bacteria (EB 35, EB 67, and CDB 35) was studied together. All the three composts showed significant increase in growth of pearl millet, which was 77% by RSC, 55% by GVC, and 30% by FWC. Application of composts with bacteria improved plant growth up to 88% by RSC with EB 67, 83% with GVC and EB 67. These results show the synergistic effect of selected bacteria applied with composts on growth of pearl millet.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. R P Thakur of ICRISAT for providing pathogenic fungal cultures, Dr. Neeru Narula of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, and Dr. G Naresh Kumar of M S University of Baroda, Gujarat for providing the reference strains used in these studies. Doctoral fellowship to Ms Hameeda Bee from the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, New Delhi is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India

    B. Hameeda, O. P. Rupela & K. Satyavani

  2. Department of Microbiology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Gopal Reddy

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  1. B. Hameeda
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  2. O. P. Rupela
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  3. Gopal Reddy
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  4. K. Satyavani
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Correspondence to Gopal Reddy.

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Hameeda, B., Rupela, O.P., Reddy, G. et al. Application of plant growth-promoting bacteria associated with composts and macrofauna for growth promotion of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). Biol Fertil Soils 43, 221–227 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-006-0098-1

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