Coinoculation of Rhizobium leguminosarum-PR1 with a cold tolerant Pseudomonas sp. improves iron acquisition, nutrient uptake and growth of field pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

The effect of a cold tolerant Pseudomonas sp. Strain, PGERs17, on nodulation, iron acquisition and nutrient uptake of field pea (Pisum sativum L. variety VL Matar 42) seedling was determined on the basis of iron acquisition and growth promotion, chlorophyll content, physiologically available iron, Leghaemoglobin from nodules, nitrogen (N) uptake, phosphorus (P) uptake, potassium (K) uptake, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) uptake of shoots. Coinoculation of PGERs17 with Rhizobium leguminosarum-PR1 significantly (P > 0.05) increased nodulation (156.2%) and 57.1% higher plant biomass. Coinoculation enhanced total chlorophyll content (31.5%), physiologically available iron (106.7%), total iron (95.9%) and 17.5-fold higher leghaemoglobin concentration in root nodules over uninoculated control plants. Coinoculation also enhance N uptake (66.3%), P uptake (23.3%), K uptake (47.1%), and 2.75-fold higher Zn uptake of shoots compare with uninoculated control. Hence, cold tolerant Pseudomonas sp. strain PGERs17 can be employed as a bioinoculant along with Rhizobium leguminosarum-PR1 to enhance plant growth, iron acquisition and nutrient uptake of field pea enhance plant growth, iron acquisition and nutrient uptake of field pea seedlings at cold temperature conditions.