Effect of Different Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on Maize Seed Germination and Seedling Development

Pacôme A. Noumavo, Eméric Kochoni, Yédéou O. Didagbé, Adolphe Adjanohoun, Marcellin Allagbé, Rachidatou Sikirou, Emma W. Gachomo, Simeon O. Kotchoni, Lamine Baba-Moussa

Centre de Recherches Agri-coles Sud, Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin, Attogon, Bénin.
Department of Biology, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, USA.
Laboratoire de Biologie et de Typage Moléculaire en Microbiologie, Département de Biochimie et de Biologie Cellulaire, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Bénin.
Laboratoire de Défense des Cultures, Centre de Recherches Agricoles d’Agonkanmey, Institut National des Re- cherches Agricoles du Bénin, Cotonou, Bénin.

DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2013.45125                

Abstract

Our study aimed at assessing the effects of 3 Plants Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) either singly or in combination on maize growth under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Seeds were inoculated with single and combined solution of 10⁸ CFU/ml of Rhizobacteria. Seeds were not inoculated for the control variant. The highest germination percentage was obtained with the combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida. This combination also recorded the best vigor index, plants circumferences number of leaves and the leaf area. The maximal heights of plants were observed with seeds treated with Azospirillum lipoferum with an increase of 37.32%. The highest rates of underground dry matter were recorded with A. lipoferum, with an increase of more than 56% comparative to control, while the combination P. fluorescens and P. putida increased the aerial dry matter of 59.11%. Finally, the highest value of the aerial biomass was obtained with the plants treated with the combination of P. fluorescens and P. putida and the highest underground biomass was obtained with plants treated only with A. lipoferum. These results suggest that specific combinations of PGPR can be considered as efficient alternative biofertilizers to promote maize seed germination, biomass and crop yield.

Keywords

Azospirillum; Pseudomonas; PGPR, Biofertlization; Maize Seeds; Germination; Greenhouse

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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