Enhancement of Festuca rubra L. germination and seedling growth by seed treatment with pathogenic Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Abstract

The study concerned effects of two methods of red fescue seeds treating with wild type Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains (15834 and LBA 1334): soaking and matriconditioning with Micro-Cel E solid carrier. The effects were assessed from germination and seedlings growth rates. The bacterial indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production and ACC deaminase activity were also determined. Both strains are able to produce the IAA and showed ACC deaminase activity in various amounts. The strains accelerated seeds germination, seedling emergence and development. The beneficial effect on those processes was visible when seeds were soaked for 1 h in bacterial suspension and, especially, when the bacteria were present during Micro-Cel E conditioning. The main effect observed upon inoculation of seeds during priming was increased growth of lateral roots and more complex architecture of the branching root system. Treating seeds with A. rhizogenes simultaneously with Micro-Cel E priming as a carrier is a promising method of enhancing grass germination and seedlings growth, particularly by improving the root system development.