Promotion of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) seedling growth by Streptomyces spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens in an alkaline and infertile soil

Rhizobium spp. strains improve the physiological attributes of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poiret seedlings under different water contents

Rhizobium spp. inoculation is a strategy to promote plant growth and enhance drought tolerance, particularly in semiarid environments. This study evaluated the morphological and physiological responses of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) seedlings inoculated with Rhizobium spp. under different water contents. Seeds were collected from 12 naturally growing mother trees (Patos, Paraíba, Brazil). No specific genotype or cultivar was used. A completely randomized experiment was conducted in a 5 × 2 factorial design with four replicates, comprising five treatments (inoculation with three Rhizobium spp. strains: CA19PT, RO19PT, and MK17PT; nitrogen fertilization; and a non-inoculated control) under two water-content levels (40% and 80% of pot capacity). M. tenuiflora seedlings were grown in 3 dm³ pots for 90 days, after which growth, biomass production, nodulation, relative water content (RWC), and gas exchange parameters were evaluated. The results demonstrated that physiological variables were influenced by the treatments and water availability, whereas growth variables were affected only by water availability. Among the evaluated treatments, inoculation with strain CA19PT showed physiological responses comparable to those observed under nitrogen fertilization. Even under low water availability (40% pc, seedlings maintained adequate hydration levels, with an increase in root biomass. Inoculation with selected Rhizobium isolates, particularly CA19PT, improved the physiological performance of M. tenuiflora seedlings under contrasting water-content conditions. Physiological responses observed in seedlings inoculated with CA19PT were comparable to those obtained with nitrogen fertilization. Additionally, seedlings grown under higher water content (80% pc exhibit better overall growth, whereas reducing water content to 40% pcstimulates root growth.

Biostimulant Potential of Trichoderma Spp. on the Vegetative Growth of Cocoa Seedlings in Nurseries in Côte d’Ivoire

Cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao L.) plays a strategic role in Côte d’Ivoire’s economy and social life. However, the production of vigorous seedlings in nurseries is hampered by low nutrient availability in the soil and plant pathogens. This study aims to improve cocoa seedlings in nurseries through the use of a biostimulant based on Trichoderma sp. Isolates of Trichoderma sp. were obtained from the rhizosphere of cocoa trees in the localities of Agboville and Yamoussoukro. These fungal strains were characterised morphologically and their effects on the vegetative growth of cocoa seedlings were assessed. Twenty-five Trichoderma isolates were obtained and grouped into seven morphotypes. The effects of these isolates were assessed in terms of plant height, leaf length and width, as well as stem base diameter and number of leaves, over a 90-day period. The results show that inoculation with Trichoderma significantly improves all the parameters studied compared with the control plants. Treatments T3, T5 and T7 performed best, with a particularly marked response for T3. These results confirm the potential of Trichoderma sp. as a biofertiliser for improving the vigour of cocoa seedlings in nurseries.

Integrative functional profiling of rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria reveals Lelliottia aquatilis as a multifunctional PGPR in Himalayan ecosystems

This study introduces L. aquatilis strain MC3 as an emerging candidate for bioinoculant development and one of the first reports for identification of L. aquatilis as multifunctional PGPR from Himalayan ecosystems.

Functional characterisation of endophytic bacteria of Drynaria quercifolia L.(J.)Sm: production of hydrolytic enzymes and plant growth-promotion

This is the first study documenting these particular bacterial taxa as endophytes with plant growth-promoting potential associated with D. quercifolia and Agrobacterium tumefaciens demonstrated the most pronounced plant growth–promoting activity.

Rhizobacteria from Lomas Cerro Campana (ACP – Peru): Plant Growth Promoter Test and Identification

Klebsiella sp. IR6, an endophytic rhizobacteria with potential as a plant growth-promoting agent for Jalapeño pepper (Capsicum annum L.) production.

IR6 exhibited the most notable agronomic performance, increasing seedling leaf area, fruit production, and fruit size under field conditions and demonstrating antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum, confirming its potential as a biocontrol agent and PGPR.