Growth Stimulatory Effects of Azospirillum Strains on Triticum aestivum and Vigna radiata

Abstract

Five bacterial strains of Azospirillum (As-2, As-4, As-5, As-6 and As-8) were used both as monocultures and mixed cultures (twenty-six combinations for each plant) for the inoculation of Triticum aestivum (non leguminous) and Vigna radiata (leguminous) seeds. Inoculated as well as non inoculated seeds were germinated and grown under controlled temperature and light conditions for 10 days. Growth parameters revealed that in both plants, mono culture inoculations manifested the better growth as compared to non inoculated treatments. Mixed cultures inoculation 3j (three strain combination) and 4a (four strain combination) in T. aestivum and 4a (four strain combination) and 3i (three strain combination) in V. radiata exhibited synergistic responses as compared to control treatment. Stimulatory effects were more pronounced in non leguminous seedlings relative to leguminous one.