Abstract

The biological fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by rhizobia plays a key role in the cycle of ecosystems and their productivity. In agriculture, it is often used to increase the yield of legumes. We aimed to assess the stimulatory properties of three bacterial strains (Ensifer meliloti 441 B-219, Ensifer mexicanus B-4064, and Rhizobium tropici B-216) and their potential for promoting wheat growth under laboratory conditions.
The bacterial were obtained from the All-Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (National Bioresource Center, Kurchatov Institute). To explore their potential for agronomic practices, we determined their stimulating properties and assessed antagonistic activity against such phytopathogens as Fusarium graminearum F-877, Bipolaris sorokiniana F-529, Botrytis cinerea F-1006, Erwinia rhapontici B-9292, and Xanthomonas campestris B-4102. Finally, we studied the effect of the strains on germination and the contents of photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen, and protein in the above-ground parts of wheat plants under laboratory conditions.
All the test rhizobia strains demonstrated various stimulating properties. In particular, they produced phytohormones, fixed nitrogen, solubilized phosphates and zinc, and synthesized ACC deaminase. The strains also exhibited pronounced antagonistic activity against F. graminearum, B. sorokiniana, and Xanthomonas campestris. According to the laboratory tests, the wheat seeds treated with E. meliloti 441 B-219 and R. tropici B-216 had longer shoots and roots, as well as higher contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids in some wheat varieties. R. tropici also had a strong positive effect on the weight of shoots and roots in all wheat varieties. E. mexicanus B-4064 exhibited a positive effect only on germination in some varieties. However, none of the strains had a significant effect on the nitrogen content.
The test rhizobia strains have significant potential for stimulating plant growth, but they do not contribute to a significant increase in nitrogen availability for wheat.

Keywords

Triticum aestivum L., nitrogen fixation, biofortification, phytohormones, siderophores, solubilization

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