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Growth and photosynthetic efficiency promotion of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) by endophytic bacteria

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Abstract

Very little is known about the physiological interactions between plants and endophytic bacteria. We investigated the impact of three endophytic bacteria, Bacillus pumilus 2-1, Chryseobacterium indologene 2-2, and Acinetobacter johnsonii 3-1, on the photosynthetic capacity and growth of sugar beet. Endophyte-free plants were obtained first and infected with the bacteria. Measurements of total chlorophyll content revealed very significant differences between endophyte-free beet plants and some infected by endophytic bacteria. The maximum photochemical yield (Fv/Fm) was used to determine any photosynthetic effect on plants caused by biotic or abiotic factors. After 30 days of growth, there was significantly higher Fv/Fm for endophyte-infected than endophyte-free plants. The light response curves of beet showed that photosynthetic capacity was significantly increased in endophyte-infected plants. Photosynthesis of endophyte-free plants was saturated at 1,300 μmol m−2 s−1, whereas endophyte-infected plants were not saturated at the irradiance used. The effect seemed to be due to promotion of electron transport in the thylakoid membranes. Promotion of photosynthetic capacity in sugar beet was due to increased chlorophyll content, leading to a consequent increased carbohydrate synthesis. It is possible that the increased maximum yield of photosynthesis in sugar beet was promoted by phytohormones and produced by the bacteria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Microbiology, Xinjiang Academy of Agriculture Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China

    Yingwu Shi & Kai Lou

  2. Key Laboratory of Green Processes of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China

    Yingwu Shi

  3. Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China

    Chun Li

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  1. Yingwu Shi
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  2. Kai Lou
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  3. Chun Li
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Correspondence to Kai Lou or Chun Li.

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Shi, Y., Lou, K. & Li, C. Growth and photosynthetic efficiency promotion of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) by endophytic bacteria. Photosynth Res 105, 5–13 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-010-9547-7

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