Seed inoculation with endophytic Induratia species on productivity of common beans

ABSTRACT Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a leguminous species of great economic and nutritional importance worldwide, and thus the development of management strategies to promote plant growth and increase grain yield of legumes is of great interest to farmers. The growth-promoting effects of the symbiosis of endophytic microorganisms in plants have been exploited in several crops. This study investigated the effects of Induratia sp. endophytic fungi on the growth and grain yield of seed-inoculated common bean plants. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse during two growing seasons using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Growth and yield-related parameters such as plant height, root length, leaf index, number of days for flowering, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, mass of 100 grains, and grain yield were evaluated. The grain yield of plants inoculated with Induratia coffeana strains CML 4018 and CML 4020 and Induratia sp. strain CML 4015 increased by 52.5%, 48.9%, and 56.4% compared to the non-inoculated control, respectively. Seed inoculation of common bean plants with endophytic fungi species of the genus Induratia showed a beneficial interaction as indicated by the recorded increase in grain yield. The present pioneering study could provide the means for developing crop management strategies for enhancing common bean crop productivity.