Towards sustainable maize production: Glyphosate detoxification by Azospirillum sp. and Pseudomonas sp.

TRAVAGLIA CLAUDIA; MASCIARELLI OSCAR; FORTUNA JULIETA; MARCHETTI GISELLA; CARDOZO PAULA; LUCERO MARTIN; ZORZA EDGARDO; LUNA VIRGINIA; REINOSO HERMINDA

CROP PROTECTION

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2015 vol. 77 p. 102 - 109

0261-2194

To contribute to more sustainable crop production, this study evaluated the capacity of Azospirillum sp.and Pseudomonas sp. to degrade glyphosate residues both in vitro and in vivo in maize plants (Zea mays L.)at different growth stages. In vitro, both bacteria tolerated glyphosate and were capable of using it as acarbon source. In bioassays, inoculation with both bacteria improved germination and root emergence,primary root growth, root hair development and coleoptile growth in seeds previously treated with theherbicide. Foliar inoculation with Azospirillum sp. and Pseudomonas sp. in glyphosate-treated plantsimproved root and shoot biomass and increased foliar area, photosynthetic pigments and phytohormonecontent as well, thus increasing maize yield in the field while concomitantly decreasing herbicideaccumulation in leaves and grains. The bacterial capacity to degrade glyphosate in vivo at differentgrowth stages in maize plants growing in the field is a novel and promising biotechnological technique tominimize the persistence of xenobiotic compounds in the environment. This finding adds to the alreadyknown importance of the application of bacterial inoculants to crops to enhance plant growth, developmentand yield.