Department of Plant Sciences

An investigation was carried out on the effects of two plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and Rhizobium on the seedling growth of Paraseriathes falcataria (l.) Nielsen and mycorrhizal development in two soils with contrasting level of pH (5 and 6) in a greenhouse. The results show that inoculation of Paraserianthes seeds with Pseudomonas sp ‘‘Proradix’’ (DSMZ 13134) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 in single or combined application significantly increased root and shoot dry weight, mycorrhizal root colonization, and nutrient concentration (P. Zn and Cu) in the shoots of Paraseriathes seedlings compared to untreated control. Only in the soil with pH 5, an inoculation with P. sp. ”Proradix®“ in addition to Rhizobium inoculation led to a further increase of all measured variables compared to Rhizobium inoculation alone. In all other treatments, inoculation with PGPRs in addition to Rhizobium inoculation did not lead to a significant increase of any of the measured variables. The results demonstrate that plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria have the potential to promote the indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi establishment and the growth of Paraseriathes seedlings