Bio-Priming of Soybean with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bacillus megaterium: Strategy to Improve Seed Germination and the Initial Seedling Growth

Abstract

Bio-priming is a new technique of seed treatment that improves seed germination, vigor, crop growth and yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Bradyrhizobium japonicum (commercial strains) and Bacillus megaterium (newly isolated strains) as a single inoculant and co-inoculant during seed bio-priming to improve seed germination and initial seedling growth of two soybean cultivars. The treated seeds were subjected to germination test (GT), cold test (CT) and accelerated aging test (AAT). B. megaterium significantly improved all parameters in GT and CT; final germination, shoot length, root length, root dry weight, and seedling vigor index in AAT, as compared to control. In addition, co-inoculation significantly increased all parameters except shoot dry weight in GT; all parameters in CT; germination energy, shoot length, root length, and seedling vigor index in AAT, in comparison to the control. Moreover, Br. japonicum significantly improved the germination energy, shoot length, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and seedling vigor index in GT; all parameters in CT; shoot length, root length, and seedling vigor index in AAT, compared with non-primed seeds. Thus, B. megaterium strains could be used in soybean bio-priming as a potential single inoculant and co-inoculant, following proper field evaluation.

Effects of interaction of Epichloë gansuensis and Bacillus strains on the seed germination and seedling growth in Achnatherum inebrians plants

“…The seed priming technique using plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has a potential role in stimulating seed germination, vigor, quality and crop yields (Miljakovic et al 2022;Sohail et al 2022). Soaking seed with Bacillus solution before sowing could effectively promote seed germination (Shahzad et al 2021;Cardarelli et al 2022).…”

Effects of Root Zone Aeration on Soil Microbes Species in a Peach Tree Rhizosphere and Root Growth

“…Biological nitrogen fixation, performed by prokaryotes—mostly bacteria—with the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia and, thereafter, other nitrogen compounds that can be assimilated by plants, stands out as a key process for agricultural production and environmental sustainability [ 40 ]. Bradyrhizobium [ 41 ] is an important genus of bacteria for biological nitrogen fixation and a member of the ‘rhizobium group’ of bacteria that establish mutualistic relationships with legumes (Fabaceae family), on which they induce nodules that are formed on roots [ 42 ]. However, some species and strains of Bradyrhizobium have been found to be capable of free-living nitrogen fixation [ 43 , 44 , 45 ].…”

Seed biopriming as a promising approach for stress tolerance and enhancement of crop productivity: a review

“…15 Numerous studies have shown the beneficial impact of biopriming on seed germination (Table 1). Recently, Miljaković et al 54 reported increased germination and growth of soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds primed with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bacillus (Priestia) megaterium. Any priming process triggers the pre-germinative metabolism in seeds during the early stages of seed imbibition.…”