An Apple Fruit Fermentation (AFF) Treatment Improves the Composition of the Rhizosphere Microbial Community and Growth of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch ‘Benihoppe’) Seedlings

Abstract

Plant growth can be promoted by the application of apple fruit fermentation (AFF), despite unclear of the underlying mechanisms, the effects involved in AFF on rhizosphere microorganisms have been hypothesized. We investigated the consequences of applying AFF alone or in combination with Bacillus licheniformis to strawberry tissue culture seedlings in vitro, the analyses of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rDNA were performed to determine AFF effects on rhizosphere. Moreover, the growth index and antioxidant enzyme activities were determined 30 days after treatments. We identified five dominant bacteria in AFF: Coprinus atramentarius, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus licheniformis, Weissella and B. subtilis. The greatest number of bacterial species were observed in the rhizosphere of control matrix (water treated), and the lowest diversity appeared in the rhizosphere soil treated with 108 cfu/mL B. licheniformis alone. Combining AFF plus B. licheniformis in one treatment resulted in the largest leaf area, plant height, root length, plant weight, and the markedly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes. We conclude that a combination of AFF plus B. licheniformis treatment to matrix can increase antioxidant enzymes activities in strawberry seedlings, optimize the status of rhizosphere microbial, and promote plant growth.

Differentiated surface fungal communities at point of harvest on apple fruits from rural and peri-urban orchards

“…Specifically, certain fungi may be recognized as endophytes and bio-control agents, providing a competitive advantage over biotic and abiotic stresses 6 . Phytopathogenic fungi are able to cause plant disease or lead to fruit post-harvest deterioration, significantly affecting fruit yield, quality and marketing value 7 , 8 . In addition, fungi can produce toxic secondary metabolites, namely, mycotoxins 9 .…”

Biological Management of the Root-knot Nematode on Strawberry in Egypt

“…Also, the highest percentages reduction of juveniles (J 2 ) in soil and each of J 2 , J 3 , females and eggs in roots were achieved by Fornem x5 ® , followed by Micronema ® after six months of application (El-Nagdi et al, 2015). Combining apple fruit fermentation plus Bacillus licheniformis in one treatment resulted the largest leaf area, plant height, root length and plant weight (Zhang et al, 2016). Such a combination could increase antioxidant enzymes activities in strawberry seedlings, optimize the status of rhizosphere microbial, and promote plant growth.…”

“…Li et al (2012) reported that such specific bacterial and fungal genera were common communities in different replant soils of strawberry,where the numbers of both bacterial and fungal communities increased in the replant strawberry soil. Zhang et al (2016) showed that the greatest numbers of bacterial species were observed in the rhizosphere of control matrix treated with water only, while the lowest diversity appeared in the rhizosphere soil treated with B. licheniformis alone. Jang et al (2016) found that a culture filtrate of A. niger F22 was highly active against M. incognita with marked mortality of second-stage juveniles and inhibition of egg hatching, where the nematicidal component was identified as oxalic acid.…”

Application of foliar biofertilizers with and without NPK in cultivating white-glutinous corn

“…A study of an apple fruit fermentation plus Bacillus licheniformis reportedly has increased antioxidant enzyme activities in strawberry seedlings, optimize the status of rhizosphere microbial, and promote plant growth (Zhang et al, 2016). The fermented plant juice study in different durations and concentrations showed no significant effect of duration or concentrations on the weight of marketable plants or plant biomass of leaf mustard (Brassica juncea L.).…”