Phytostimulatory Impact of Biofilm Producing PGPR on Triticum Aestivum L.

Phytostimulatory Impact of Biofilm Producing PGPR

Abstract

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have ability to produce biofilms around host plant roots which help them in efficient colonization and protect them from desiccation and soil borne pathogens. These biofilms act as a shield both for bacteria as well as for plants. Bacteria with biofilms secrete various extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Exopolysaccharide is the principle component of bacterial biofilm that determine various aspects of biofilms. For the current study, already isolated bacterial strains were screened both qualitatively and quantitatively for their biofilm forming potential. Their growth promoting ability and exopolysaccharide potential analysis was carried out and phytostimulatory impact was studied by plant microbial interaction assay under laboratory conditions using Triticum aestivum L. Different growth and biochemical parameters of bacterially treated and untreated plants were recorded and analyzed. Maximum increase (89%) in seed germination was recorded by plants treated with bacterial strain Burkholderia cepacia (FS1). Similarly, maximum increase of 111% in total chlorophyll content and 75% in soluble protein content was observed in plants treated with Pseudomonas sp. (DS1) and Pseudomonas sp. (FS2) respectively. Our study showed that biofilm forming bacteria display significant enhancement in plant growth and health.