Sorghum is a multipurpose crop that is cultivated worldwide. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have important roles in enhancing sorghum biomass and nutrient uptake and suppressing plant pathogens. The aim of this research was to test the effects of the endophytic bacterial species Kosakonia radicincitans strain IAC/BECa 99, Enterobacter asburiae strain IAC/BECa 128, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain IAC/BECa 141, Burkholderia tropica strain IAC/BECa 135 and Herbaspirillum frisingense strain IAC/BECa 152 on the growth and root architecture of four sorghum cultivars (SRN-39, Shanqui-Red, BRS330, BRS509), with different uses and strigolactone profiles. We hypothesized that the different bacterial species would trigger different growth plant responses in different sorghum cultivars. Burkholderia tropica and H. frisingense significantly increased the plant biomass of cultivars SRN-39 and BRS330. Moreover, cultivar BRS330 inoculated with either strain displayed isolates significant decrease in average root diameter. This study shows that Burkholderia tropica strain IAC/BECa 135 and H. frisingense strain IAC/BECa 152 are promising PGPB strains for use as inocula for sustainable sorghum cultivation.

The effects of compost and liquid biofertiliser on the chemical and biological characteristics of soil cultivated with banana (Musa spp. L.) cv. 'Grand Naine' were investigated. Four treatments (liquid bioferment (LBF), compost (COM), liquid bioferment + compost (LBF + COM) and unamended (CONTrOL)) were applied to banana plants in the field in a completely randomised design in the crop cycles of 2005-2006 and 2007-2008. The physico-chemical characteristics, enzymatic activity and microbial diversity were determined prior to the bioferment addition and 140 and 280 days after application (DAP). The microbial groups were determined (i.e., bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes). Next, cellulolytic, proteolytic, starch hydrolysing, asymbiotic N 2 -fixing and phosphorous-solubilising microorganisms were determined. The application of LBF + COM increased organic matter 1.39 times, increased compost 1.33 times and increased LBF 1.16 times at 140 DAP. The greatest microbial populations were found in soil amended with LBF + COM at 140 DAP. The highest esterase and invertase enzyme activities were found in soil amended with LBF+COM at 140 DAP. The highest xylanase activity was found in soil amended with compost at 280 DAP. These results showed that the addition of compost and liquid bioferment improves soil fertility and stimulates microbial activity and their capacity to metabolise complex organic molecules.

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RESUMENEn el presente estudio se investigó el efecto de complementar turba a diferentes salinidades con vermicompost de excretas de borrego sobre la sobrevivencia, el crecimiento y la fotosíntesis de plántulas de tamarindo (Tamarindus indica), en un experimento en invernadero. Las plantas se cultivaron en sustrato de turba (peat moss) adicionado con 0, 20, 40, 60 y 80 mM de NaCl y complementado con o sin 10% (v/v) de vermicompost. Sin vermicompost, la sobrevivencia de las plantas fue de 20% en el tratamiento con 80 mM de NaCl, pero con vermicompost la sobrevivencia fue de 85%. Sin vermicompost el crecimiento de las plantas se redujo en dos veces a 20 mM de NaCl, pero con vermicompost no se encontró efecto inhibitorio. La fotosíntesis se redujo en las plantas en el tratamiento con 20 mM de NaCl, sin vermicompost, pero no se encontró inhibición cuando la turba fue adicionada con vermicompost. Se encontró que la vermicompost tiene un enorme potencial para limitar el efecto negativo de la salinidad sobre el crecimiento de las plantas de tamarindo.PALABRAS CLAVES: Vermicompost, salinidad, tamarindo, fotosíntesis. ABSTRACTIn the present study the effect of supplementing peat moss at different salinities with sheep manure vermicompost on survival, growth and photosynthesis of Tamarind plantlets (Tamarindus indica) was investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Plantlets were grown in peat substrate (peat moss) added with 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mM NaCl and supplemented with or without 10% (v/v) vermicompost. Without vermicompost, the survival of the plantlets was 20% after 80 mM NaCl addition, but with vermicompost it was 85%. Without vermicompost, plant growth was reduced two fold at 20 mM NaCl, but with vermicompost no inhibitory effect was found. Photosynthesis was reduced in the plantlets in the 20 mM NaCl treatment without vermicompost, but no inhibition was found when peat moss was added with vermicompost. It was found that vermicompost has a huge potential to limit negative effect of salinity on growth of tamarind plants.

The inoculation of several species of micropropagated plantlets with native diazotrophic bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi has been reported to increase growth and survival percentage compared to plantlets without inoculation. The survival of in vitro developed potato (Solanum tuberosum Glomus fasciculatum G. claroideum growth chamber 8 cell plant ex vitro growth. minituber yield of plants compared to untreated plants. It was found that the added microorganisms increased survival KEYWORDS Glomus claroideum Glomus fasciculatum, Solanum tuberosum in vitro inoculadas con Glomus fasciculatum G. claroideum 8 ex vitro PALABRAS CLAVE Glomus claroideum Glomus fasciculatum,