Cold tolerance and plant growth promotion potential of Serratia marcescens strain SRM (MTCC 8708) isolated from flowers of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo)

Abstract

Aim: To determine the cold tolerance and plant growth promotion potential of Serratia marcescens strain SRM (MTCC 8708). Methods and Results: Serratia marcescens strain SRM was isolated from the flowers of summer squash plants, showing no apparent symptoms of yellow vine disease. It was evaluated for growth and plant growth promotion attributes at 15 and 4°C. At 15°C, the isolate was able to solubilize 76·6 μg ml−1 of P and produce Indole Acetic Acid, IAA (11·1 μg ml−1). HCN and siderophore production were also detected at 15°C. The isolate retained all the plant growth promotion traits at 4°C. Seed bacterization with the isolate significantly enhanced plant biomass and nutrient uptake of wheat seedlings grown in cold temperatures. Conclusion: Serratia marcescens strain SRM is a promising cold‐tolerant isolate that can significantly influence wheat seedling growth at cold temperatures. Significance and Impact of the Study: This strain can be employed as a bioinoculant in cold temperature conditions.

Origanum syriacum ssp. sinaicum associated Growth Promoting Bacteria

“…High phosphate solubilization activity by Serratia sp. was reported by previous studies [48][49][50] that supported observation that gave Serratia isolates higher grade of phosphate solubilization compared with Bacillus isolates. The isolation of B2 Serratia SK3 as endophyte from cultivated root and B5 Serratia SK1a from the rhizospere of the wild oregano supports that it might be associated with the plant to enhance phosphate uptake.…”

Root colonization of a rice growth promoting strain of Enterobacter cloacae

“…Gnotobiotic plants were then grown at 25 ± 1 °C with 16 h day, 8 h night cycle. Four day old seedlings were inoculated with 1 ml of a suspension of bacterial culture in sterile 10 mM MgSO 4 (~10 8 cfu) for root colonization assays whereas control plants received sterile 10 mM MgSO 4 . Enrichment of bacteria was carried out as described earlier [7] with modifications.…”

“…There has always been a constant need to identify and study new and native plant growth promoting bacteria from various agro-ecological niches [4]. Being the staple food for over 40% of the world's population, rice has been the interest of several investigations probing beneficial rhizospheric bacterial communities.…”

Growth promotion of wheat seedlings by Exiguobacterium acetylicum 1P (MTCC 8707) a cold tolerant bacterial strain from the Uttarakhand Himalayas

“…The North Western Indian Himalayas present a virgin opportunity for exploration and characterization of cold tolerant microorganisms, due to the unique ecological niche of the region that includes glaciers, alpine and subalpine regions. We had earlier reported the occurrence of cold tolerant plant growth promoting strains of Pantoea dispersa and Serratia marcescens from this region [38,39]. With increasing awareness about the perils of chemical fertilizer based agricultural practices, it is imperative to scout such pristine environments for benefi cial microbial strains.…”