Benefical rhizobacteria encapsulated in nanofibers for potential application as soybean inoculants

PRISCILLA ROMINA DE GREGORIO; MICHAVILA GABRIELA; LEMES SANTOS F; BONILHA F; LAMI MA JESUS; CARAM DI SANTO CAROLINA; POMARES M. FERNANDA; VINCENT PAULA A

Cordoba

Congreso; Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigaciones en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (SAIB); 2016

Sociedad Argentina de Investigaciones en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular

Soybean seed inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an ideal tool to supply high densities of beneficial microorganisms to the soil. The difficulty of maintaining the viability of the microorganisms during seed treatment and storage is a problem. The work aims were to evaluate the stability of two potential PGPR, Pantoea agglomerans ISIB55 and Burkholderia caribensis ISIB40, during encapsulation in nanofibers under different conditions, and to determine the impact of seed coating with nanofiber-encapsulated rhizobacteria on bacterial survival during seed storage, on germination and on plant growth parameters. Bacterial nanoencapsulation and subsequently seed coating was carried out by electrospinning. This technique successfully encapsulated P. agglomerans ISIB55 and B. caribensis because it did not affect their viabilities or beneficial properties. Seed coating with nanofiber-encapsulated rhizobacteria improved P. agglomerans ISIB55 and B. caribensis ISIB40 survival on seeds stored for 20 days and increased their colonization on plant root. Seed coating with P. agglomerans ISIB55 increased germination and length and dry weight of root while seed coating with B. caribensis ISIB40 increased leaf number and dry weight of shoot. The technique applied to coat seeds with nanofiber-encapsulated PGPR could be considered a promising eco-friendly approach to improve soybean production using a microbial inoculant.