Epiphytic pink-pigmented methylotrophic bacteria enhance germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) by producing phytohormone.
Methylotrophic bacteria were isolated from the phyllosphere of different crop plants such as sugarcane, pigeonpea, mustard, potato and radish. The methylotrophic isolates were differentiated based on growth characteristics and colony morphology on methanol supplemented ammonium mineral salts medium. Amplification of the mxaF gene helped in the identification of the methylotrophic isolates as belonging to the genus Methylobacterium. Cell-free culture filtrates of these strains enhanced seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum) with highest values of 98.3% observed using Methylobacterium sp. (NC4). Highest values of seedling length and vigour were recorded with Methylobacterium sp. (NC28). HPLC analysis of production by bacterial strains ranged from 1.09 to 9.89 μg ml(-1) of cytokinins in the culture filtrate. Such cytokinin producing beneficial methylotrophs can be useful in developing bio-inoculants through co-inoculation of pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs with other compatible bacterial strains, for improving plant growth and productivity, in an environment-friendly manner.
National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms, Kushmaur, Maunath Bhanjan, India. kkmeenamicro@gmail.com
Kamlesh K
KK
Meena
Manish
M
Kumar
Marina G
MG
Kalyuzhnaya
Mahesh S
MS
Yandigeri
Dhananjaya P
DP
Singh
Anil K
AK
Saxena
Dilip K
DK
Arora
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D000432:Methanol / Q000378:metabolism; D020580:Methylobacterium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014908:Triticum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology*
D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D000432:Methanol