Mutualistic interaction of native Serratia marcescens UENF-22GI with Trichoderma longibrachiatum UENF-F476 boosting seedling growth of tomato and papaya

AbstractA plethora of bacteria –fungal interactions occur on the extended fungal hyphae network in soil. The mycosphere of saprophytic fungi can serve as a bacterial niche boosting their survival, dispersion, and activity. Such ecological concepts can be converted to bioproducts for sustainable agriculture. Accordingly, we test ed the hypothesis that the well-characterised beneficial bacteriumSerratia marcescens UENF-22GI can enhance plant growth-promoting properties when combined withTrichoderma longibrachiatum UENF-F476. The cultural and cell interactions demonstratedS. marcescens and T. longibrachiatum mutual compatibility. Bacteria cells were able to attach, forming aggregates to biofilms and migrating through the fungal hyphae network. Long-distance bacterial migration through growing hyphae was confirmed using a two-compartment Petri dishes assay. Fungal inoculation increased the bacteria survival rates into the vermicompost substrate over the experimental time. Also, in vitro indolic compound, phosphorus, and zinc solubilisation bacteria activities increased in the presence of the fungus. In line with the ecophysiological bacteria fitness, the bacterium –fungal combination boosted tomato and papaya plantlet growth when applied into the plant substrate under nursery conditions. Mutualistic interaction between mycosphere-colonizing bacteriumS. marcescens UENF-22GI and the saprotrophic fungiT. longibrachiatum UENF-F467 increased the ecological fitness of the bacteria ...
Source: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research