Characterization of native rhizobacteria and their effect on chickpea growth promotion (Cicer arietinum L.) under controlled conditions

Abstract

In Tucumán, cheackpea cultivation is expanding with excellent marketing prospects. The evidence demostrates the stimulating effect for the bacterial inoculation plant, and the convenience of adopting this technology for sustaining high yields of this crop in the region. Native bacteria are an excellent source for the selection of new strains with the capacity to promote plant growth. The objectives were to characterize native rhizobacteria and evaluate their performance as plant growth promoters in chickpea under controlled conditions. The work was done with six bacteria that demonstrated, in vitro, ability to solubilize phosphates, fix atmospheric nitrogen, produce siderophores and act as biocontrol agents. Disinfected and pregerminated chickpea seeds were inoculated by immersion in bacterial suspensions, planted in pots with sterilized vermiculite and placed in a breeding chamber with 22 ± 2 °C, RH 25% and photoperiod 16/8 h. After 45 days, plant height; percentage of foliar phosphorus; dry weight of the aerial part and of roots and length of roots were analyzed. The results showed that the isolated Ba, Pf, YM1, YM3, YM4 and Me, solubilize tricalcium phosphate and produce siderophores. Ba, Pf, YM1, YM3, YM4, have nitrogenase activity, and Ba, Me and YM4 produce inhibition of fungal mycelium. As a consequence of the inoculation with these isolates, under controlled conditions, plant lenght, foliar phosphorus content and dry weight of aerial part and roots were increased, performance that makes them promising for use as a potential bio-product in chickpea.