Bacillus pumilus increases boron uptake and inhibits rapeseed growth under boron supply irrespective of phosphorus fertilization. Issue 4 (26th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Masood, Sajid; Zhao, Xue Qiang; Shen, Ren Fang
• Is Part Of: AoB plants. Volume 11:Issue 4(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-06-26
• Subjects: boron -- phosphorus -- plant growth-promoting bacteria -- soil acidification; Plants -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; 580.5
• DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plz036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-2851

Abstract

Abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate how plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) influence plant growth and uptake of boron (B) and phosphorus (P) in rapeseed ( Brassica napus ). Rapeseed was subjected to control, B, P and B + P treatments, either with or without B. pumilus (PGPB) inoculation, and grown in pot culture for 6 weeks. In the absence of B. pumilus, the addition of B, P or both elements improved the growth of rapeseed compared with the control. Interestingly, B. pumilus inoculation inhibited plant growth and enhanced B uptake under B and B + P but not under control and P conditions. In addition, B. pumilus inoculation decreased the pH of soil under B and B + P supplies. Bacillus pumilus inoculation thus increased rapeseed B uptake and inhibited growth under B supply, which suggests that the effects of PGPB on rapeseed growth depend on the addition of B to soil. Bacillus pumilus inoculation may therefore be recommended for the enhancement of rapeseed B levels in B-deficient soils but not in B-sufficient ones. Abstract : The present study indicates that Bacillus pumilus (plant growth-promoting bacteria, PGPB) enhances B uptake by rapeseed, which is consistent with previous reports. However, interestingly, increased B accumulation in rapeseed inhibited the growth of rapeseed under B-sufficient soil conditions. These inhibitory effects of B. pumilus on rapeseed growth were related to soil acidification, which increased the B availability in the soil–plant system. This novel information on the role of PGPB in B nutrition and plant growth improves our understanding of how PGPB influence B uptake and has potential implications for instructing the application of PGPB in agriculture.