The infection and impact of Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571 on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

PLoS One. 2017 Nov 30;12(11):e0187947. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187947. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Based on our previous study, cereal crop wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) could be infected by rhizobia Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571, and form para-nodules with the induction of 2.4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, a common plant growth regulator. To enhance this infection and the potential agricultural application, we compared six different infection methods (Direct seed dip; Seed germination dip; Pruned-root dip; Foliar spray; Circum-soil dip; Seed dip and circum-soil dip) for achieving the high efficient infection of A. caulinodans into wheat plants by employing a green fluorescent protein (gfp)-labeled Azorhizobium caulinodans strain ORS571. With proper methods, copious rhizobia could enter the interior and promote the growth of wheat to the hilt. Circum-soil dip was proved to be the most efficient method, seed germination dip and pruned-root dip is the last recommended to infect wheat, seed germination dip and seed dip and circum-soil dip showed better effects on plant growth, pruned-root dip did not show too much effect on plant growth. This study laid the foundation for understanding the interaction between rhizobia and cereal crops and the growth-promoting function of rhizobia.

MeSH terms

  • Azorhizobium caulinodans / genetics
  • Azorhizobium caulinodans / pathogenicity*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Triticum / growth & development
  • Triticum / microbiology*

Substances

  • Green Fluorescent Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was partially supported by International Cooperation and Exchanges Project of Shaanxi Province (2015KW-028), Fundamental Research Funds of Northwest A&F University (2452015033). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.