Response of four rice varieties to Rhodobacter capsulatus at seedling stage

The phototrophic purple nonsulphur bacterium (PPNSB) Rhodobacter capsulatus was used to inoculate seedlings of four rice varieties Giza 159, Giza 171, Giza 176 and Giza 181, grown in hydroponic culture with or without nitrogen. After three weeks the seedling growth parameters were measured. Inoculation with R. capsulatus enhanced seedling growth of all rice varieties tested. The response to inoculation as compared to control plants (no nitrogen, no R. capsulatus) were 52% to 75% for shoot height, 47% to 100% for aerial part dry weight, 45% to 78% for aerial part N content, −37% to −9% for maximum root length, −4% to 8% for root system dry weight and 50% to 62% for root N content.