Effects of Azospirillum brasilense on nodulation and growth of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry Vol. 29; no. 5; pp. 923 - 929
• Main Authors: Burdman, Saul, Kigel, Jaime, Okon, Yaacov
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.1997; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Economic plant physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Microbial ecology; Microflora of plants; Symbiosis (nodules, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, mycorrhiza...); Mixed infection; Growth; Spirillaceae; Azospirillum brasilense; Inoculation; Controlled environment study; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Nitrogen fixation; Bacteria; Associated microflora; Diazotrophy; Symbionte; Microorganism interrelationships; Spirillales; Nodulation; Vegetal microorganism relation; Rhizobium tropici; Grain legume; Biological fixation; Leguminosae; Phaseolus vulgaris; Endophyte; Spermatophyta; Rhizobiaceae; Gnotobiology
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/S0038-0717(96)00222-2

Combined inoculation of potted common bean plants with Rhizobium and Azospirillum significantly increased both upper and total nodule number and N 2-fixation as compared with inoculation with Rhizobium alone. At an Azospirillum concentration of 10 8 cfu ml −1, the combined inoculation reduced root and shoot dry weight accumulation in comparison with Rhizobium alone and with uninoculated controls. However, when the combined inoculation was performed using a lower Azospirillum concentration (5 × 10 6 cfu ml −1), positive effects on plant growth were observed, although the enhancement of nodulation and N 2-fixation were not as great as observed at the higher Azospirillum concentration. Field application of these findings are discussed.