Influence of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. yield by Inoculation of a Preceding Italian Ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam

Abstract

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can promote the growth of Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam. as well as the growth and nodulation of subsequent alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. In a pot experiment, the influence of PGPR on yield and nitrogen content of Italian ryegrass and alfalfa was studied with the aim to improve their growth and provide effective alfalfa nitrogen fixation under unfavourable soil conditions. Plants were inoculated with seven strains belonging to Sinorhizobium meliloti, Azotobacter spp. and Enterobacter sp. A beneficial effect on yield and N-assimilation in Italian ryegrass was obtained due to the inoculation of the plants with Azotobacter vinelandii and some Sinorhizobium meliloti strains. In addition, Italian ryegrass seed inoculation with particular rhizobial strains the year before alfalfa growing provided abundant nodulation and better growth of alfalfa.

Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) as Affected by Rhizobacteria

“…(Delić et al, 2012;Stamenov et al, 2012;Miri et al, 2013). In this research we have identified only one (A1) of 7 isolated A. chroococcum strains, which is able to promote grass (orchardgrass) growth individually (about 60% SDW increase compared to control Ø).…”

“…Single inoculation with P. fluorescens or B. subtilis showed a statistically significant increase in the yield of fresh and dry mass of English ryegrass (Delić et al, 2012;Stamenov et al, 2012a). In our research B. megaterium LR1K showed some PGP potential, since co-inoculation with A. chroococcum A31 increased all parameters of orchardgrass in respect to control Ø, while single inoculation with A. chroococcum A31 strain did not.…”

Quantitative Traits Breeding for Multifunctional Grasslands and Turf

“…In this study, S. meliloti strain L3Si was ineffective when applied as an inoculant of preceding oats, despite of its highly effective role in BNF in alfalfa in a previous study (Delić et al 2012 ). Signifi cantly lower values of measured alfalfa properties compared to the control (Ø) indicated an ineffective relationship between the symbionts.…”

Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Orchardgrass (<i>Dactylis glomerata</i> L.) and Meadow Fescue (<i>Festuca pratensis </i> Huds.) as Affected by Rhizobacteria

“…Number of reports have proven that Azotobacter application, as a free-living nitrogen-fixer, improves the yield of different plants, including grass species, wheat, English ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, etc. (Delić et al, 2012;Stamenov et al, 2012;Miri et al, 2013). In this research we have identified only one (A1) of 7 isolated A. chroococcum strains, which is able to promote grass (orchardgrass) growth individually (about 60% SDW increase compared to control Ø).…”

“…Strains of Pseudomonas and Bacillus are among the most efficient PGPR and promoted growth and yield of variety of plants (Hayat et al, 2010). Single inoculation with P. fluorescens or B. subtilis showed a statistically significant increase in the yield of fresh and dry mass of English ryegrass (Delić et al, 2012;Stamenov et al, 2012a). In our research B. megaterium LR1K showed some PGP potential, since co-inoculation with A. chroococcum A31 increased all parameters of orchardgrass in respect to control Ø, while single inoculation with A. chroococcum A31 strain did not.…”