Upland rice seedling performance promoted by multifunctional microorganisms / Desempenho de plântulas de arroz de terras altas promovido por microrganismos multifuncionais

Multifunctional microorganisms can contribute to the development of plant root systems and positively affect the grain yield of crops. However, studies of the use of these microorganisms to benefit root development in rice plants are scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of rhizobacterial inoculation of the seeds on the root development of upland rice seedlings. The experiment was carried out in the agricultural microbiology laboratory of Embrapa Rice and Beans, and we adopted a completely randomized design with eight replications. The treatments consisted of the inoculation of rice seeds with the rhizobacteria 1. Pseudomonas fluorescens (BRM 32111), 2. Burkholderia pyrrocinia (BRM 32113), 3. Serratia sp. (BRM 32114), 4. Bacillus sp. (1301), 5. Azospirillum brasilense (Ab-V5), 6. Azospirillum sp. (1381), and a 7. control treatment (without microorganisms). Treatment using the microorganism Azospirillum sp. (1381) provided the longest roots, greatest root volume and highest total dry mass of roots, at 86.34, 111.53 and 29.41%, respectively, significantly superior to the control treatment. In addition, treatments Ab-V5 and Bacillus sp. (1301) resulted in a root diameter of 13.81 and 13.06%, respectively, larger than that of the control treatment. The use of these multifunctional microorganisms was efficient for promoting the root development of rice seedlings.(AU)

Microrganismos multifuncionais podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento do sistema radicular de plantas afetando positivamente a produtividade de grãos das culturas. Objetivou-se determinar o efeito da inoculação de rizobactérias em sementes no desenvolvimento radicular de plântulas do arroz de terras altas. O experimento foi conduzido no laboratório de microbiologia agrícola da Embrapa Arroz e Feijão, e adotando delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com oito repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram da inoculação em sementes de arroz com as rizobactérias 1. Pseudomonas fluorescens (BRM 32111), 2. Burkholderia pyrrocinia (BRM 32113), 3. Serratia sp. (BRM 32114), 4. Bacillus sp. (1301), 5. Azospirillum brasilense (Ab-V5), 6. Azospirillum sp. (1381), e 7. tratamento controle (sem microrganismo). O tratamento com a utilização do microrganismo Azospirillum sp. (1381) proporcionou maior comprimento radicular, volume de raízes e massa seca total de raízes, sendo respectivamente, 86,34, 111,53 e 29,41%, superior ao tratamento controle e diferiu significativamente. Além disso, os tratamentos Ab-V5 e Bacillus sp. (1301) proporcionaram maior diâmetro radicular nas plantas de arroz, sendo 13,81 e 13,06 % respectivamente superior ao tratamento controle. O uso destes microrganismos multifuncionais foi eficiente em sua capacidade de proporcionar incrementos no desenvolvimento radicular de plântulas de arroz.(AU)

Bactérias promotoras do crescimento radicular em plântulas de dois cultivares de arroz irrigado por inundação / Growth promoting bacteria on root lenght of seedlings of two flooded lowland rice cultivars

Para o crescimento e desenvolvimento na natureza, as plantas contam com os benefícios de microrganismos residentes em sua rizosfera. Rizobactérias promotoras de crescimento vegetal (RPCV) são exemplos desses microrganismos que interagem de forma benéfica com espécies vegetais. Portanto, a inoculação de sementes com RPCV pode representar uma alternativa importante e sustentável para melhorar o desenvolvimento inicial e a produção de plantas cultivadas. Objetivou-se com esse estudo determinar o efeito da microbiolização de sementes com RPCV no comprimento radicular de plântulas de arroz irrigado por inundação. Em condições controladas, conduziram-se dois experimentos com cultivares de arroz irrigado (BRS Catiana e BRS A702 CL), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com sete tratamentos e 10 repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de seis microrganismos: BRM32109 (Bacillus sp.), BRM32110 (Bacillus sp.), BRM32111 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), BRM32112 (Pseudomonas sp.), BRM32113 (Burkholderia pyrrocinia), BRM32114 (Serratia sp.) e um controle (sem microrganismo). Os maiores comprimentos radiculares foram apresentados pelas sementes tratadas com os isolados BRM32110, BRM32112, BRM32109 e BRM32114. Para ambas cultivares houve significância quando comparado microrganismos e controle. Destaque para as sementes da cultivar BRS Catiana, que quando tratadas com os isolados BRM32110 e BRM32112 apresentaram aumento médio de 25, 7% no comprimento radicular, em comparação com o tratamento controle. Para a cultivar BRS A702CL, todos os microrganismos proporcionaram incrementos com um valor médio de 31% no comprimento radicular das plântulas de arroz. Com base nos resultados pode-se inferir que as RPCV proporcionam incrementos significativos no comprimento radicular de plântulas de cultivares de arroz irrigado por inundação.

For growing and development in nature, plants count with the benefits of microorganisms residing in their rhizosphere. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are some of these microorganisms that interact in a beneficial way with plant species. Therefore, seed inoculation with PGPR can be an important and sustainable alternative to improve initial development and crop production. The aim was to determine effect of seeds microbiolization with PGPR on root length of flooded lowland rice seedlings. Under controlled conditions, two experiments were conducted with lowland rice cultivars (BRS Catiana and BRS A702 CL) in completely randomized design, with seven treatments and 10 replications. The treatments consisted of six microorganisms: BRM32109 (Bacillus sp.), BRM32110 (Bacillus sp.), BRM32111 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), BRM32112 (Pseudomonas sp.), BRM32113 (Burkholderia pyrrocinia), BRM32114 (Serratia sp.) and a control (no microorganism). Only the cultivar BRS Catiana showed difference among the treatments. The highest root length was presented by the seeds treated with the isolates BRM32110, BRM32112, BRM32109, and BRM32114. Both of cultivars had significance when compared microorganisms to the control. Highlight for seeds of cultivar BRS Catiana, that when treated with the isolates BRM32110 and BRM32112 presented an average increase of 25. 7% on the root length, compared to control treatment. For the cultivar BRS A702 CL, all the microorganisms provided increments with average value of 31% in the root length of rice seedlings. Based on the results it can be inferred that PGPR provide significant increases in seedling root length of flooded lowland rice cultivars.

Bactérias promotoras do crescimento radicular em plântulas de dois cultivares de arroz irrigado por inundação / Growth promoting bacteria on root lenght of seedlings of two flooded lowland rice cultivars

Para o crescimento e desenvolvimento na natureza, as plantas contam com os benefícios de microrganismos residentes em sua rizosfera. Rizobactérias promotoras de crescimento vegetal (RPCV) são exemplos desses microrganismos que interagem de forma benéfica com espécies vegetais. Portanto, a inoculação de sementes com RPCV pode representar uma alternativa importante e sustentável para melhorar o desenvolvimento inicial e a produção de plantas cultivadas. Objetivou-se com esse estudo determinar o efeito da microbiolização de sementes com RPCV no comprimento radicular de plântulas de arroz irrigado por inundação. Em condições controladas, conduziram-se dois experimentos com cultivares de arroz irrigado (BRS Catiana e BRS A702 CL), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com sete tratamentos e 10 repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de seis microrganismos: BRM32109 (Bacillus sp.), BRM32110 (Bacillus sp.), BRM32111 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), BRM32112 (Pseudomonas sp.), BRM32113 (Burkholderia pyrrocinia), BRM32114 (Serratia sp.) e um controle (sem microrganismo). Os maiores comprimentos radiculares foram apresentados pelas sementes tratadas com os isolados BRM32110, BRM32112, BRM32109 e BRM32114. Para ambas cultivares houve significância quando comparado microrganismos e controle. Destaque para as sementes da cultivar BRS Catiana, que quando tratadas com os isolados BRM32110 e BRM32112 apresentaram aumento médio de 25, 7% no comprimento radicular, em comparação com o tratamento controle. Para a cultivar BRS A702CL, todos os microrganismos proporcionaram incrementos com um valor médio de 31% no comprimento radicular das plântulas de arroz. Com base nos resultados pode-se inferir que as RPCV proporcionam incrementos significativos no comprimento radicular de plântulas de cultivares de arroz irrigado por inundação.(AU)

For growing and development in nature, plants count with the benefits of microorganisms residing in their rhizosphere. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are some of these microorganisms that interact in a beneficial way with plant species. Therefore, seed inoculation with PGPR can be an important and sustainable alternative to improve initial development and crop production. The aim was to determine effect of seeds microbiolization with PGPR on root length of flooded lowland rice seedlings. Under controlled conditions, two experiments were conducted with lowland rice cultivars (BRS Catiana and BRS A702 CL) in completely randomized design, with seven treatments and 10 replications. The treatments consisted of six microorganisms: BRM32109 (Bacillus sp.), BRM32110 (Bacillus sp.), BRM32111 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), BRM32112 (Pseudomonas sp.), BRM32113 (Burkholderia pyrrocinia), BRM32114 (Serratia sp.) and a control (no microorganism). Only the cultivar BRS Catiana showed difference among the treatments. The highest root length was presented by the seeds treated with the isolates BRM32110, BRM32112, BRM32109, and BRM32114. Both of cultivars had significance when compared microorganisms to the control. Highlight for seeds of cultivar BRS Catiana, that when treated with the isolates BRM32110 and BRM32112 presented an average increase of 25. 7% on the root length, compared to control treatment. For the cultivar BRS A702 CL, all the microorganisms provided increments with average value of 31% in the root length of rice seedlings. Based on the results it can be inferred that PGPR provide significant increases in seedling root length of flooded lowland rice cultivars.(AU)

Performance of pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings in response to the application of humic acid and plant growth-promoting bacteria / Desempenho de mudas pré-brotadas de cana-de-açúcar em resposta a aplicação de ácidos húmicos e bactérias promotoras do crescimento vegetal

Sugarcane cultivation using pre-sprouted seedlings has decreased the number of stalks used per hectare,increased the multiplication rate, improved seedling health, and increased planting uniformity. However, because this system has been only recently proposed, the number of studies evaluating this new technology is still scarce, particularly those examining the effect of the application of growth-promoting substances on seedling characteristics during the production phase. Here, we hypothesized that it is possible to combine the plant growth-promoting activity of humic acid (HA) with the inoculation of selected strains of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to improve the yield of sugarcane seedlings compared with the individual application of these two techniques. The potential of the combined use of HA and PGPB as agricultural inputs was evaluated by conducting an experiment with sugarcane micro cuttings in a greenhouse. Treatments included control, PGPB, HA, and PGPB with HA. At theend of the experiment (60 d after planting), the plants were subjected to biometric evaluation. The results indicated that it was possible to combine HA with selected strains of PGPB (Burkholderia sp.) to improve the yield of seedlings compared with individual HA and PGPB treatments. HA, PGPB, and HA + PGPB increased the total dry matter compared with the control by 23%, 25%, and 36%, respectively. Therefore, the use of HA-based plant regulators in combination with PGPB was more effective than the isolated use of these inputs for the treatment of micro cuttings and improvement of sugarcane seedling yield.(AU)

O cultivo da cana-de-açúcar com mudas pré-brotadas tem permitido a redução do volume gasto de colmos por hectare, o aumento da taxa de multiplicação, da sanidade das mudas e da uniformidade do plantio. Contudo, por ter sido proposto há pouco tempo, o número de trabalhos com essa nova tecnologia ainda é escasso, especialmente quanto ao comportamento dessas mudas frente à inoculação com bactérias promotoras de crescimento de plantas. Hipótese desse trabalho propõe que é possível combinar o efeito de promoção do crescimento vegetal dos ácidos húmicos (AH) com a inoculação deestirpes selecionadas de bactérias promotoras de crescimento de plantas (BPCP) com vias a obtenção de respostas superiores à aplicação isolada de ambos na produção mudas de cana de açúcar. Para avaliar o potencial do uso combinado de AH e bactérias diazotróficas endofíticas como insumo agrícola, foi instalado um experimento com microtoletes de cana-de-açúcar em casa de vegetação. Os tratamentos incluiram o controle, BPCP, AH e BPCP com AH. Ao final do experimento (60 dias após o plantio) as plantas foram avaliadas biometricamente. Os resultados demonstraram ser possível combinar os efeito dos AH com a inoculação de estirpes selecionadas de BPCP (Burkholderia sp.) com maior desenvolvimento das mudas comparadas com o tratamento isolado com AH e BPCP. AH, BPCP, e AH +BPCP aumentaram a matéria seca total em 23%, 25%, e 36%, com relação ao controle respectivamente. Assim, o uso de biorreguladores a base de AH combinados com BPCP é positivo e complementar comparativamente aos insumos geralmente usados no tratamento de microtoletes para a produção de mudas de cana de açúcar.(AU)

Evaluation of resistance to natural poisoning by Amorimia septentrionalis in goats which had received sodium monofluoroacetate degrading bacteria / Avaliação da resistência à intoxicação natural por Amorimia septentrionalis em caprinos que receberam bactérias degradadoras de monofluoroacetato de sódio

Amorimia septentrionalis is an important sodium monofluoroacetate (MFA) containing plant that causes sudden death in ruminants in northeastern Brazil. MFA degrading bacteria are being used in the prevention against poisoning by this plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate if goats which had per os received MFA degrading bacteria remained resistant when exposed to natural poisoning by A. septentrionalis. Eighteen goats were randomly distributed into three groups: the goats of Group 1 previously received, during 40 days, a solution containing the bacteria Ralstonia sp. and Burkholderia sp., those goats in the Group 2 received the bacteria Paenibacillus sp. and Cupriavidus sp. and goats from Group 3 did not receive any bacteria. After the administration period, during 60 days, the animals of all groups were released to graze on a one hectare paddock, with significant amount of A. septentrionalis. They were observed daily for the spontaneous consumption of A. septentrionalis leaves and the occurrence of clinical signs of poisoning or sudden death. Goats from all groups consumed significant amounts of A. septentrionalis during the experimental period. Goats that did not receive MFA-degrading bacteria (Group 3) became sick and died from the 25th to the 27th day of the experiment, whereas the goats of the groups that received MFA-degrading bacteria showed only clinical sings when A. septentrionalis regrowth after the 55th day of the experiment. The days elapsed from field observation to death of Group 3 goats (25.5±0.9 days) were significantly lower (p<0.05) than Group 1 (58.6±1.3 days) and Group 2 (57.8±1.5 days). Thus, it can be concluded that administration of MFA degrading bacteria increases the resistance to natural poisoning by A. septentrionalis.(AU)

Amorimia septentrionalis que contém monofluoroacetato de sódio (MFA) é responsável pela ocorrência de mortes súbitas em ruminantes no nordeste do Brasil. Bactérias degradadoras desse composto estão sendo utilizadas na prevenção contra a intoxicação por essa planta. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se caprinos que receberam, via oral, bactérias degradadoras de MFA permaneciam resistentes quando expostos a intoxicação natural por A. septentrionalis. Dezoito caprinos foram divididos em três grupos, os caprinos do Grupo 1 receberam anteriormente, durante 40 dias, uma solução contendo as bactérias Ralstonia sp. e Burkholderia sp., os do Grupo 2 receberam, também por 40 dias as bactérias Paenibacillus sp. e Cupriavidus sp. e os do Grupo 3 não receberam nenhuma bactéria. Após o período de administração, durante 60 dias, os animais de todos os grupos foram soltos para pastar em um piquete de um hectare, que apresentava uma quantidade significativa da planta. Diariamente eles foram observados quanto ao consumo espontâneo das folhas de A. septentrionalis e quanto à presença de sinais clínicos de intoxicação ou morte. Os caprinos de todos os grupos consumiram quantidades significantes da planta durante o período experimental. Os caprinos que não receberam as bactérias degradantes de MFA (Grupo 3) adoeceram e morreram entre o 25º e o 27º dia de experimento, enquanto que os que receberam as bactérias degradantes de MFA (Grupo 1 e 2) só apresentaram sinais clínicos no 55º dia de experimento, o que coincidiu com a rebrota da planta. Os dias transcorridos desde a observação a campo até a morte dos caprinos do Grupo 3 (25,5±0,9 dias) foram significativamente menores (p<0,05) que os do Grupo 1 (58,6±1,3 dias) e do Grupo 2 (57,8±1,5 dias). Com isso pode-se concluir que a administração de bactérias degradadoras de MFA aumenta à resistência a intoxicação natural por A. septentrionalis.(AU)

Evaluation of resistance to natural poisoning by Amorimia septentrionalis in goats which had received sodium monofluoroacetate degrading bacteria / Avaliação da resistência à intoxicação natural por Amorimia septentrionalis em caprinos que receberam bactérias degradadoras de monofluoroacetato de sódio

Amorimia septentrionalis is an important sodium monofluoroacetate (MFA) containing plant that causes sudden death in ruminants in northeastern Brazil. MFA degrading bacteria are being used in the prevention against poisoning by this plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate if goats which had per os received MFA degrading bacteria remained resistant when exposed to natural poisoning by A. septentrionalis. Eighteen goats were randomly distributed into three groups: the goats of Group 1 previously received, during 40 days, a solution containing the bacteria Ralstonia sp. and Burkholderia sp., those goats in the Group 2 received the bacteria Paenibacillus sp. and Cupriavidus sp. and goats from Group 3 did not receive any bacteria. After the administration period, during 60 days, the animals of all groups were released to graze on a one hectare paddock, with significant amount of A. septentrionalis. They were observed daily for the spontaneous consumption of A. septentrionalis leaves and the occurrence of clinical signs of poisoning or sudden death. Goats from all groups consumed significant amounts of A. septentrionalis during the experimental period. Goats that did not receive MFA-degrading bacteria (Group 3) became sick and died from the 25th to the 27th day of the experiment, whereas the goats of the groups that received MFA-degrading bacteria showed only clinical sings when A. septentrionalis regrowth after the 55th day of the experiment. The days elapsed from field observation to death of Group 3 goats (25.5±0.9 days) were significantly lower (p<0.05) than Group 1 (58.6±1.3 days) and Group 2 (57.8±1.5 days). Thus, it can be concluded that administration of MFA degrading bacteria increases the resistance to natural poisoning by A. septentrionalis.(AU)

Amorimia septentrionalis que contém monofluoroacetato de sódio (MFA) é responsável pela ocorrência de mortes súbitas em ruminantes no nordeste do Brasil. Bactérias degradadoras desse composto estão sendo utilizadas na prevenção contra a intoxicação por essa planta. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se caprinos que receberam, via oral, bactérias degradadoras de MFA permaneciam resistentes quando expostos a intoxicação natural por A. septentrionalis. Dezoito caprinos foram divididos em três grupos, os caprinos do Grupo 1 receberam anteriormente, durante 40 dias, uma solução contendo as bactérias Ralstonia sp. e Burkholderia sp., os do Grupo 2 receberam, também por 40 dias as bactérias Paenibacillus sp. e Cupriavidus sp. e os do Grupo 3 não receberam nenhuma bactéria. Após o período de administração, durante 60 dias, os animais de todos os grupos foram soltos para pastar em um piquete de um hectare, que apresentava uma quantidade significativa da planta. Diariamente eles foram observados quanto ao consumo espontâneo das folhas de A. septentrionalis e quanto à presença de sinais clínicos de intoxicação ou morte. Os caprinos de todos os grupos consumiram quantidades significantes da planta durante o período experimental. Os caprinos que não receberam as bactérias degradantes de MFA (Grupo 3) adoeceram e morreram entre o 25º e o 27º dia de experimento, enquanto que os que receberam as bactérias degradantes de MFA (Grupo 1 e 2) só apresentaram sinais clínicos no 55º dia de experimento, o que coincidiu com a rebrota da planta. Os dias transcorridos desde a observação a campo até a morte dos caprinos do Grupo 3 (25,5±0,9 dias) foram significativamente menores (p<0,05) que os do Grupo 1 (58,6±1,3 dias) e do Grupo 2 (57,8±1,5 dias). Com isso pode-se concluir que a administração de bactérias degradadoras de MFA aumenta à resistência a intoxicação natural por A. septentrionalis.(AU)

Diazotrophic bacteria and nitrogen fertilization on the growth of micropropagated pineapple plantlets during acclimatization / Bactérias diazotróficas e adubação nitrogenada no crescimento de mudas micropropagadas de abacaxizeiro durante a aclimatização

This study examines the effect of inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria and nitrogen fertilization on the growth of micropropagated pineapple cv. 'Vitória' plantlets during the acclimatization period. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in Campos dos Goytacazes, in randomized blocks, using a 2x5x5 factorial scheme, with the factors being two types of inocula (absence or presence of a mixture of diazotrophic bacteria that contained Burkholderia sp. UENF 114111, Burkholderia silvatlantica UENF 11711, and Herbaspirillum seropedicae HRC 54), five levels of urea (0, 2, 5, 7, and 10g L-¹), and five evaluation periods (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days following the planting of plantlets in trays), and with four replications of each treatment. An increase in the dried weight of shoots and roots of micropropagated pineapple cv. 'Vitória' plants depended on inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria, and plantlets acclimatization could be reduced by up to 57 days, depending on the concentration of urea fertilizer.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito da inoculação de bactérias diazotróficas endofíticas e adubação nitrogenada no crescimento de mudas micropropagadas de abacaxizeiro 'Vitória' durante o período de aclimatização. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados (DBC), em esquema fatorial (2x5x5), sendo os fatores representados por dois tipos de inóculos (ausência e presença de uma mistura de bactérias diazotróficas contendo Burkholderia sp. UENF 114111, Burkholderia silvatlantica UENF 117111 e Herbaspirillum seropedicae estirpe HRC 54), cinco concentrações de ureia (0, 2, 5, 7 e 10g L-¹) e em cinco épocas de avaliação do tempo de aclimatização (30, 60, 90, 120 e 150 dias após o plantio das mudas em bandejas), com quatro repetições. Verificou-se aumento na massa seca da parte aérea e massa seca da raiz de mudas micropropagadas de abacaxizeiro 'Vitória' em função da inoculação de bactérias diazotróficas. O tempo de aclimatização pode ser reduzida em até 60 dias em função da concentração de ureia.(AU)

Growth of Burkholderia sacchari LFM 101 cultivated in glucose, sucrose and glycerol at different temperatures

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have attracted major industrial interest as alternatives to conventional plastics. They are produced by several bacteria as cytoplasmic inclusions when nutrients are in limited supply. Among the many factors influencing bacterial growth, the effect of temperature on both specific growth rates and growth yields in terms of carbon source intake is of considerable interest. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the bacterium Burkholderia sacchari LFM 101 on growth and PHA production, using glucose, sucrose or glycerol as a carbon source, at 30 and 35 °C. The results showed that B. sacchari cultured with glucose at 35 °C presented both higher productivity and polymer yield in dried cell mass. There were no differences in growth rates (max) in sucrose and glucose. The growth conditions studied were not favorable to glycerol consumption due to limitations in the energy supply from glycerol.

Growth of Burkholderia sacchari LFM 101 cultivated in glucose, sucrose and glycerol at different temperatures

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have attracted major industrial interest as alternatives to conventional plastics. They are produced by several bacteria as cytoplasmic inclusions when nutrients are in limited supply. Among the many factors influencing bacterial growth, the effect of temperature on both specific growth rates and growth yields in terms of carbon source intake is of considerable interest. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the bacterium Burkholderia sacchari LFM 101 on growth and PHA production, using glucose, sucrose or glycerol as a carbon source, at 30 and 35 °C. The results showed that B. sacchari cultured with glucose at 35 °C presented both higher productivity and polymer yield in dried cell mass. There were no differences in growth rates (max) in sucrose and glucose. The growth conditions studied were not favorable to glycerol consumption due to limitations in the energy supply from glycerol.(AU)

Diversity and capacity to promote maize growth of bacteria isolated from the Amazon region / Diversidade e capacidade de promoção de crescimento de milho de bactérias isoladas da região Amazônica

Maize plants can establish beneficial associations with plant growth-promoting bacteria. However, few studies have been conducted on the characterization and inoculation of these bacteria in the Amazon region. This study aimed to characterize endophytic bacteria isolated from maize in the Amazon region and to assess their capacity to promote plant growth. Fifty-five bacterial isolates were obtained from maize grown in two types of ecosystems, i.e., a cerrado (savanna) and a forest area. The isolates were characterized by the presence of the nifH gene, their ability to synthesize indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and solubilize calcium phosphate (CaHPO4), and 16S rRNA partial gene sequencing. Twenty-four bacteria contained the nifH gene, of which seven were isolated from maize plants cultivated in a cerrado area and seventeen from a forest area. Fourteen samples showed the capacity to synthesize IAA and only four solubilized calcium phosphate. The following genera were found among these isolates: Pseudomonas; Acinetobacter; Enterobacter; Pantoea; Burkholderia and Bacillus. In addition, eight isolates with plant growth-promoting capacity were selected for a glasshouse experiment involving the inoculation of two maize genotypes (a hybrid and a variety) grown in pots containing soil. Inoculation promoted the development of the maize plants but no significant interaction between maize cultivar and bacterial inoculation was found. A high diversity of endophytic bacteria is present in the Amazon region and these bacteria have potential to promote the development of maize plants.

Plantas de milho podem estabelecer associações benéficas com bactérias promotoras do crescimento vegetal. No entanto, poucos estudos de caracterização e inoculação com essas bactérias foram realizados na região Amazônica. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar bactérias endofíticas isoladas de milho na região Amazônica e avaliar sua capacidade de promover o crescimento. Cinquenta e cinco isolados bacterianos foram obtidos de plantas de milho cultivadas em diferentes tipos de ecossistemas, cerrado (savana) e área de floresta. Estes foram caracterizados pela presença do gene nifH, capacidade de sintetizar ácido indol-3-acético (AIA), solubilizar fosfato de cálcio (CaHPO4) e sequenciamento parcial do gene 16S rRNA. Vinte e quatro bactérias apresentaram o gene nifH. Destas, sete são oriundas de plantas cultivadas em uma área de cerrado e 17 em área de floresta. Quatorze bactérias demonstraram a capacidade de solubilizar AIA e quatro de solubilizar fosfato de cálcio. Entre estas bactérias, foram encontrados os seguintes gêneros: Pseudomonas; Acinetobacter; Enterobacter; Pantoea; Burkholderia e Bacillus. Oito isolados com capacidade de promoção do crescimento vegetal foram selecionados para experimento em casa de vegetação com a inoculação em dois diferentes genótipos de milho (um híbrido e uma variedade) em vasos com solo. Quanto à promoção de crescimento vegetal, a inoculação promoveu o desenvolvimento de plantas de milho, mas não foi encontrada interação significativa entre a cultivar de milho e a inoculação bacteriana. Na região Amazônica há uma diversidade de bactérias endofíticas e estas possuem potencial para promover o desenvolvimento de plantas de milho.

Diversity and capacity to promote maize growth of bacteria isolated from the Amazon region / Diversidade e capacidade de promoção de crescimento de milho de bactérias isoladas da região Amazônica

Maize plants can establish beneficial associations with plant growth-promoting bacteria. However, few studies have been conducted on the characterization and inoculation of these bacteria in the Amazon region. This study aimed to characterize endophytic bacteria isolated from maize in the Amazon region and to assess their capacity to promote plant growth. Fifty-five bacterial isolates were obtained from maize grown in two types of ecosystems, i.e., a cerrado (savanna) and a forest area. The isolates were characterized by the presence of the nifH gene, their ability to synthesize indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and solubilize calcium phosphate (CaHPO4), and 16S rRNA partial gene sequencing. Twenty-four bacteria contained the nifH gene, of which seven were isolated from maize plants cultivated in a cerrado area and seventeen from a forest area. Fourteen samples showed the capacity to synthesize IAA and only four solubilized calcium phosphate. The following genera were found among these isolates: Pseudomonas; Acinetobacter; Enterobacter; Pantoea; Burkholderia and Bacillus. In addition, eight isolates with plant growth-promoting capacity were selected for a glasshouse experiment involving the inoculation of two maize genotypes (a hybrid and a variety) grown in pots containing soil. Inoculation promoted the development of the maize plants but no significant interaction between maize cultivar and bacterial inoculation was found. A high diversity of endophytic bacteria is present in the Amazon region and these bacteria have potential to promote the development of maize plants.(AU)

Plantas de milho podem estabelecer associações benéficas com bactérias promotoras do crescimento vegetal. No entanto, poucos estudos de caracterização e inoculação com essas bactérias foram realizados na região Amazônica. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar bactérias endofíticas isoladas de milho na região Amazônica e avaliar sua capacidade de promover o crescimento. Cinquenta e cinco isolados bacterianos foram obtidos de plantas de milho cultivadas em diferentes tipos de ecossistemas, cerrado (savana) e área de floresta. Estes foram caracterizados pela presença do gene nifH, capacidade de sintetizar ácido indol-3-acético (AIA), solubilizar fosfato de cálcio (CaHPO4) e sequenciamento parcial do gene 16S rRNA. Vinte e quatro bactérias apresentaram o gene nifH. Destas, sete são oriundas de plantas cultivadas em uma área de cerrado e 17 em área de floresta. Quatorze bactérias demonstraram a capacidade de solubilizar AIA e quatro de solubilizar fosfato de cálcio. Entre estas bactérias, foram encontrados os seguintes gêneros: Pseudomonas; Acinetobacter; Enterobacter; Pantoea; Burkholderia e Bacillus. Oito isolados com capacidade de promoção do crescimento vegetal foram selecionados para experimento em casa de vegetação com a inoculação em dois diferentes genótipos de milho (um híbrido e uma variedade) em vasos com solo. Quanto à promoção de crescimento vegetal, a inoculação promoveu o desenvolvimento de plantas de milho, mas não foi encontrada interação significativa entre a cultivar de milho e a inoculação bacteriana. Na região Amazônica há uma diversidade de bactérias endofíticas e estas possuem potencial para promover o desenvolvimento de plantas de milho.(AU)

Cowpea symbiotic efficiency, pH and aluminum tolerance in nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivation in northern and northeastern Brazil provides an excellent source of nutrients and carbohydrates for the poor and underprivileged. Production surplus leads to its consumption in other regions of Brazil and also as an export commodity. Its capacity to establish relationships with atmospheric nitrogen-fixing bacteria is crucial to the reduction of production costs and the environmental impact of nitrogen fertilizers. This study assessed the symbiotic efficiency of new strains of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria with cowpea and their tolerance to pH and aluminum. Twenty-seven strains of bacteria from different soils were evaluated under axenic conditions. These strains were compared to the following inoculant strains: INPA03-11B, UFLA03-84 and BR3267 and two controls that were not inoculated (with and without mineral nitrogen). Six strains and the three strains approved as inoculants were selected to increase the dry weight production of the aerial part (DWAP) and were tested in pots with soil that had a high-density of nitrogen-fixing native rhizobia. In this experiment, three strains (UFLA03-164, UFLA03-153, and UFLA03-154) yielded higher DWAP values. These strains grow at pH levels of 5.0, 6.0, 6.8 and at high aluminum concentration levels, reaching 10(9) CFU mL-1. In particular UFLA03-84, UFLA03-153, and UFLA03-164 tolerate up to 20 mmol c dm-3 of Al+3. Inoculation with rhizobial strains, that had been carefully selected according to their ability to nodulate and fix N2, combined with their ability to compete in soils that are acidic and contain high levels of Al, is a cheaper and more sustainable alternative that can be made available to farmers than mineral fertilizers.

Cowpea symbiotic efficiency, pH and aluminum tolerance in nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivation in northern and northeastern Brazil provides an excellent source of nutrients and carbohydrates for the poor and underprivileged. Production surplus leads to its consumption in other regions of Brazil and also as an export commodity. Its capacity to establish relationships with atmospheric nitrogen-fixing bacteria is crucial to the reduction of production costs and the environmental impact of nitrogen fertilizers. This study assessed the symbiotic efficiency of new strains of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria with cowpea and their tolerance to pH and aluminum. Twenty-seven strains of bacteria from different soils were evaluated under axenic conditions. These strains were compared to the following inoculant strains: INPA03-11B, UFLA03-84 and BR3267 and two controls that were not inoculated (with and without mineral nitrogen). Six strains and the three strains approved as inoculants were selected to increase the dry weight production of the aerial part (DWAP) and were tested in pots with soil that had a high-density of nitrogen-fixing native rhizobia. In this experiment, three strains (UFLA03-164, UFLA03-153, and UFLA03-154) yielded higher DWAP values. These strains grow at pH levels of 5.0, 6.0, 6.8 and at high aluminum concentration levels, reaching 10(9) CFU mL-1. In particular UFLA03-84, UFLA03-153, and UFLA03-164 tolerate up to 20 mmol c dm-3 of Al+3. Inoculation with rhizobial strains, that had been carefully selected according to their ability to nodulate and fix N2, combined with their ability to compete in soils that are acidic and contain high levels of Al, is a cheaper and more sustainable alternative that can be made available to farmers than mineral fertilizers.(AU)

Performance of pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings in response to the application of humic acid and plant growth-promoting bacteria / Desempenho de mudas pré-brotadas de cana-de-açúcar em resposta a aplicação de ácidos húmicos e bactérias promotoras do crescimento vegetal

Sugarcane cultivation using pre-sprouted seedlings has decreased the number of stalks used per hectare,increased the multiplication rate, improved seedling health, and increased planting uniformity. However, because this system has been only recently proposed, the number of studies evaluating this new technology is still scarce, particularly those examining the effect of the application of growth-promoting substances on seedling characteristics during the production phase. Here, we hypothesized that it is possible to combine the plant growth-promoting activity of humic acid (HA) with the inoculation of selected strains of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to improve the yield of sugarcane seedlings compared with the individual application of these two techniques. The potential of the combined use of HA and PGPB as agricultural inputs was evaluated by conducting an experiment with sugarcane micro cuttings in a greenhouse. Treatments included control, PGPB, HA, and PGPB with HA. At theend of the experiment (60 d after planting), the plants were subjected to biometric evaluation. The results indicated that it was possible to combine HA with selected strains of PGPB (Burkholderia sp.) to improve the yield of seedlings compared with individual HA and PGPB treatments. HA, PGPB, and HA + PGPB increased the total dry matter compared with the control by 23%, 25%, and 36%, respectively. Therefore, the use of HA-based plant regulators in combination with PGPB was more effective than the isolated use of these inputs for the treatment of micro cuttings and improvement of sugarcane seedling yield.

O cultivo da cana-de-açúcar com mudas pré-brotadas tem permitido a redução do volume gasto de colmos por hectare, o aumento da taxa de multiplicação, da sanidade das mudas e da uniformidade do plantio. Contudo, por ter sido proposto há pouco tempo, o número de trabalhos com essa nova tecnologia ainda é escasso, especialmente quanto ao comportamento dessas mudas frente à inoculação com bactérias promotoras de crescimento de plantas. Hipótese desse trabalho propõe que é possível combinar o efeito de promoção do crescimento vegetal dos ácidos húmicos (AH) com a inoculação deestirpes selecionadas de bactérias promotoras de crescimento de plantas (BPCP) com vias a obtenção de respostas superiores à aplicação isolada de ambos na produção mudas de cana de açúcar. Para avaliar o potencial do uso combinado de AH e bactérias diazotróficas endofíticas como insumo agrícola, foi instalado um experimento com microtoletes de cana-de-açúcar em casa de vegetação. Os tratamentos incluiram o controle, BPCP, AH e BPCP com AH. Ao final do experimento (60 dias após o plantio) as plantas foram avaliadas biometricamente. Os resultados demonstraram ser possível combinar os efeito dos AH com a inoculação de estirpes selecionadas de BPCP (Burkholderia sp.) com maior desenvolvimento das mudas comparadas com o tratamento isolado com AH e BPCP. AH, BPCP, e AH +BPCP aumentaram a matéria seca total em 23%, 25%, e 36%, com relação ao controle respectivamente. Assim, o uso de biorreguladores a base de AH combinados com BPCP é positivo e complementar comparativamente aos insumos geralmente usados no tratamento de microtoletes para a produção de mudas de cana de açúcar.