Boosting Mung Bean and Mustard Seed Germination with Special Soil Bacteria

Jenn Hoskins
6th September, 2024

Boosting Mung Bean and Mustard Seed Germination with Special Soil Bacteria

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University found that biopriming seeds with sulphur-oxidizing bacteria can significantly enhance seed germination and plant growth
  • Pantoea dispersa SOB2 was the most effective, improving germination rates and seedling growth for mustard and mung bean
  • Other bacteria like Bacillus velezensis SN06 and Bacillus cereus SN20 also showed benefits, such as enhancing seedling growth and improving soil structure
Enhancing seed germination and plant growth is crucial for successful agriculture. Traditional chemical fertilizers, while effective, pose environmental risks. An alternative approach involves using beneficial bacteria to improve plant growth and resilience. Recent research from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University explores the potential of biopriming seeds with sulphur-oxidizing bacteria to enhance seed germination and plant growth[1]. The study evaluated five bacterial cultures: Pantoea dispersa SOB2, Bacillus velezensis SN06, Bacillus cereus SN20, Bacillus tropicus SN16, and Bacillus megaterium SN11. These bacteria were tested for their ability to solubilize essential minerals and produce plant growth-promoting substances. Notably, Pantoea dispersa SOB2 showed the highest solubilization indices for phosphate, zinc, and potassium, and produced significant amounts of indole acetic acid, gibberellic acid, ammonia, and siderophores. These traits are crucial as they enhance nutrient availability and promote plant growth. The study's findings align with previous research demonstrating the benefits of plant growth-promoting bacteria. For instance, a study on lithic bacterial isolates from Meghalaya, India, found that certain bacteria significantly enhanced rice plant growth by solubilizing minerals and producing growth-promoting substances[2]. Similarly, research on rhizobacteria from Darjeeling tea estates showed that these bacteria could enhance rice and maize growth by triggering antioxidative defense mechanisms and increasing resistance to pathogens[3]. In the current study, biopriming with Pantoea dispersa SOB2 significantly improved the germination rate and seedling growth of Brassica juncea L. (mustard) and Vigna radiata L. (mung bean). For Brassica juncea, Pantoea dispersa SOB2 achieved a germination rate of 3.73 seeds per day and a relative seed germination of 208%. For Vigna radiata, the germination rate was 6.72 seeds per day with a relative seed germination of 115.56%. These results indicate that Pantoea dispersa SOB2 is highly effective in promoting seed germination and early plant development. The study also highlighted the benefits of Bacillus velezensis SN06 and Bacillus cereus SN20. Bacillus velezensis SN06 enhanced the seedling growth of Vigna radiata, while Bacillus cereus SN20 showed the highest exopolysaccharide production, which can improve soil structure and plant-microbe interactions. These findings suggest that different bacterial strains can offer unique benefits, making them valuable for tailored agricultural applications. Previous studies have shown that beneficial microbes can enhance seed germination and plant growth by various mechanisms. For example, a review on seed quality highlighted the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Trichoderma spp., and rhizobia in improving seedling vigor and resilience to stress[4]. Additionally, research on Bacillus spp. demonstrated their ability to improve plant growth in acid mine drainage-impacted soils by enhancing nutrient availability and altering soil bacterial communities[5]. The current study's findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of beneficial bacteria in agriculture. By enhancing seed germination and plant growth, these bacteria offer a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. Future research should explore the field application of these bacterial cultures to validate their effectiveness under real-world conditions. In conclusion, the study from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University demonstrates that biopriming seeds with sulphur-oxidizing bacteria, particularly Pantoea dispersa SOB2, can significantly enhance seed germination and plant growth. These findings align with previous research on plant growth-promoting bacteria and highlight the potential of these microbes as biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

AgricultureBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Biopriming with multifarious sulphur-oxidizing bacteria improve in vitro Vigna radiata L. (mung bean) and Brassica juncea L. (mustard) seed germination.

Published 5th September, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12223-024-01195-8

Related Studies

2) Characterization of Biomineralizing and Plant Growth-Promoting Attributes of Lithobiontic Bacteria.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-022-03176-x

3) Evaluation of plant growth promotion properties and induction of antioxidative defense mechanism by tea rhizobacteria of Darjeeling, India.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72439-z

4) Seed Treatments with Microorganisms Can Have a Biostimulant Effect by Influencing Germination and Seedling Growth of Crops.

https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030259

5) Inoculation of Bacillus spp. Modulate the soil bacterial communities and available nutrients in the rhizosphere of vetiver plant irrigated with acid mine drainage.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128345


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