Enhancement of wheat growth by plant growth-stimulating bacteria during phytopathogenic inhibition

Abstract

Triticum spp. is grown widely all over the world, and numerous fungal diseases have a significant impact on the crop yield. Fusarium graminearum and Bipolaris sorokiniana are the most prevalent pathogens affecting wheat. In this study, the growth-stimulating bacteria in wheat are identified and their efficacy is examined in stimulating the growth of wheat seedlings under phytopathogenic conditions. In the course of the present investigation, four microorganisms that are resistant to the metabolites Fusarium graminearum and Bipolaris sorokiniana were isolated from wheat seeds. These strains were evaluated based on plant growth stimulation indicators, including the production of indole-3-acetic acid (0.4–3.3 mg × mL⁻¹), gibberellic acid (116.9–431.5 μg × mL⁻¹), siderophores (10.2–31.5%), phosphate solubilization (1.7–3.5), zinc solubilization (1.8–3.7), potassium solubilization (1.3–3.0) nitrogen fixation (250.0–840.0 μg × mL⁻¹). In a laboratory experiment, two promising growth-stimulating bacteria that enhance the germination and development of wheat seeds under conditions of phytopathogenic stress were identified. When treated with the microorganisms, wheat seeds show a higher rate of germination, and a significant increase in root length was observed in the seedlings. A field test indicated that the presence of strains of Pantoea ananatis and Bacillus subtilis exerts a favorable effect on the wheat yield.