Contribution of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus to phosphorus nutrition in strawberry plants

DELAPORTE-QUINTANA, P.; GRILLO-PUERTAS, M.; LOVAISA, N. C.; TEIXEIRA, K. R.; RAPISARDA, V. A.; PEDRAZA, R. O.

PLANT AND SOIL

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2017 vol. 419 p. 335 - 347

0032-079X

Background and Aims Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (family Acetobacteraceae), is a N2-fixing bacterium with capability of mineral solubilization through organic acid production. The aim of this work was to evaluate its capacity as a phosphate solubilizing bacterium to overcome a phosphorus deficiency in phosphorus-starved strawberry plants.Methods Strawberry plants growing with available and not available phosphorus were inoculated with the wild type G. diazotrophicus PAL5 Pi-solubilizing strain and a Tn5-derivative mutant defective in organic acid production. Growth index, root acidification, root area, MPN, greenness index, and phosphorus content were evaluated. Results Results demonstrate that G. diazotrophicus PAL5 can increase the phosphorus content of strawberry plants (root and shoot), and revert phosphorus deficiency. Additionally, bacterial plant growth-promoting effect was represented by higher values of biomass production, root area, and growth index, as compared with the controls.Conclusions G. diazotrophicus can increase the phosphorus content of strawberry plants, promoting the overall plant growth.