Co-Inoculation of Mesorhizobium ciceri with Either Bacillus sp. or Enterobacter aerogenes on Chickpea Improves Growth and Productivity in Phosphate-Deficient Soils in Dry Areas of a Mediterranean Region

Abstract

Biological nitrogen fixation requires a large amount of phosphorus (P). However, most of the soils are P-deficient and the extensive use of P- chemical fertilizers constitute a serious threat to the environment. In this context, two field experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of co-inoculation of Mesorhizobium ciceri with phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Bacillus sp., and Enterobacter aerogenes, on chickpea as an alternative to chemical nitrogen (N) and phosphorous fertilizers in P-deficient soils in dry areas of Morocco. The results revealed that combined inoculation of chickpea with rhizobia and PSB showed a significant enhancement of chickpea nodulation, biomass production, yields and N, P, and protein content in grains as compared to single inoculation or single application of N or P. A significantly higher increase was obtained by inoculating chickpea with Mesorhizobium sp. MA72 combined with E. aerogenes P1S6. This combination allowed an enhancement of more than 270% in nodulation, 192% in shoot dry weight and 242% in grain yield. The effect of this combination was equivalent to the effect of combined application of N and P fertilizers. Formulation of biofertilizers based on tasted strains could be used for chickpea co-inoculation in P-deficient soils for an eco-friendly sustainable production of chickpea.

Indole Acetic Acid Producing And Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Native To Kenyan Soils Promote Growth of Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.)

“…This could be attributed to the multi-strain's ability to effectively nodulate and enhance solubilization of other essential soil minerals such as phosphorus 42 . Similar stimulatory effects on nodulation by coinoculation of rhizobia and PSB has been reported by other authors 43,44,45 .…”

Isolation and Characterization of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria for Growth Promotion of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

“…The solubilization percentage of our isolates was within the range of 0.4 to 0.8%, supported by the values given previously [26]. Different PSB strains were isolated [27] and reported that the capacity of strains to solubilize P is 37 to 130 ug/ml.…”

Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria Isolated from Phosphate Solid Sludge and Their Ability to Solubilize Three Inorganic Phosphate Forms: Calcium, Iron, and Aluminum Phosphates

“…Moreover, citric acid dissolved P more effectively than oxalic and malic acids, according to Hocking [ 49 ] and Hou et al [ 50 ], and organic acids that can form a more stable complex with metal cations will be more successful in releasing aluminum and iron from soil minerals, allowing for more phosphorus to be released. In our study, four genera were determined Pseudomonas , Serratia , Pantoea , and Enterobacter , PSBs are diversified in nature [ 51 ], according to Biswas et al [ 52 ], Sulbaran et al [ 53 ], Bendjelloul et al [ 54 ], and Liu et al [ 36 ]; bacteria belonging to the genera Pseudomonas , Enterobacter , Serratia , and Pantoea are potent PSMs. Moreover, Pseudomonas genera are among the most efficient solubilizers of inorganic phosphate [ 55 ].…”