Background and Aims Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (family Acetobacteraceae), is a N 2 -fixing bacterium with capability of mineral solubilization through organic acid production. The aim of this work was to evaluate its capacity as a phosphate solubilizing bacterium to overcome a phosphorus deficiency in phosphorus-starved strawberry plants. Methods Strawberry plants growing with available and not available phosphorus were inoculated with the wild type G. diazotrophicus PAL5 Pi-solubilizing strain and a Tn5-derivative mutant defective in organic acid production. Growth index, root acidification, root area, MPN, greenness index, and phosphorus content were evaluated.
ResultsResults demonstrate that G. diazotrophicus PAL5 can increase the phosphorus content of strawberry plants (root and shoot), and revert phosphorus deficiency. Additionally, bacterial plant growth-promoting effect was represented by higher values of biomass production, root area, and growth index, as compared with the controls. Conclusions G. diazotrophicus can increase the phosphorus content of strawberry plants, promoting the overall plant growth.
Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a plant growth-promoting bacterium that is used as a bioinoculant. Phosphate (Pi) modulates intracellular polyphosphate (polyP) levels in Escherichia coli, affecting cellular fitness and biofilm formation capacity. It currently remains unclear whether environmental Pi modulates polyP levels in G. diazotrophicus to enhance fitness in view of its technological applications. In high Pi media, cells accumulated polyP and degraded it, thereby improving survival, tolerance to environmental stressors, biofilm formation capacity on abiotic and biotic surfaces, and competence as a growth promoter of strawberry plants. The present results support the importance of Pi and intracellular polyP as signals involved in the survival of G. diazotrophicus.
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