Rhizobium promotes non-legumes growth and quality in several production steps: towards a biofertilization of edible raw vegetables healthy for humans.
The biofertilization of crops with plant-growth-promoting microorganisms is currently considered as a healthy alternative to chemical fertilization. However, only microorganisms safe for humans can be used as biofertilizers, particularly in vegetables that are raw consumed, in order to avoid sanitary problems derived from the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the final products. In the present work we showed that Rhizobium strains colonize the roots of tomato and pepper plants promoting their growth in different production stages increasing yield and quality of seedlings and fruits. Our results confirmed those obtained in cereals and alimentary oil producing plants extending the number of non-legumes susceptible to be biofertilized with rhizobia to those whose fruits are raw consumed. This is a relevant conclusion since safety of rhizobia for human health has been demonstrated after several decades of legume inoculation ensuring that they are optimal bacteria for biofertilization.
Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Paula
P
García-Fraile
Lorena
L
Carro
Marta
M
Robledo
Martha-Helena
MH
Ramírez-Bahena
José-David
JD
Flores-Félix
María Teresa
MT
Fernández
Pedro F
PF
Mateos
Raúl
R
Rivas
José Mariano
JM
Igual
Eustoquio
E
Martínez-Molina
Álvaro
Á
Peix
Encarna
E
Velázquez
D002212:Capsicum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D017343:Genes, Plant; D006801:Humans; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D016961:Rhizobium leguminosarum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D014675:Vegetables / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology