Biocontrol and Salinity Tolerance Potential of Azospirillum lipoferum and its Inoculation Effect in Wheat Crop

Azospirillum lipoferum strain (GQ 255949) exhibits the ability to mitigate stress conditions. The present study was carried out to evaluate the biocontrol and salt tolerance potential of A. lipoferum and to examine its ability to mitigate salt stress in wheat crop when inoculated. A. lipoferum has shown strong biocontrol potential against Aspergillus niger and Pseudomonass spp. Strain exhibited the survival efficiency uptill 150 mM NaCl and also showed production of different osmolytes such as proline, soluble protein, soluble sugars and Super oxide dismutase while growing under saline conditions. Although salinity affected growth and metabolism of wheat, A. lipoferum inoculation significantly ameliorated its effects by improving the germination and plant growth, particularly under higher salinity levels (50 mM, 100 mM and 150 mM NaCl). Maximum impact of inoculation was observed at 150 mM NaCl. Chlorophyll content and membrane stability improved with inoculation resulting in 38.6% and 15.3% at 150 mM NaCl. Highest increase in concentration of osmolytes was 35.6% in proline, 28% in soluble sugars, in inoculated plants as compared an un-inoculated wheat plant under saline condition. It is concluded from the present findings that A. lipoferum strain (GQ 255949) has potential to promote growth of wheat plants under saline conditions. (C) 2016 Friends Science Publishers