The present study aims to characterize nodule endophytic bacteria of spontaneous lupine plants regarding their diversity and their plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. The potential of PGPR inoculation was investigated to improve white lupine growth across controlled, semi-natural and field conditions. Lupinus luteus and Lupinus angustifolius nodules were shown inhabited by a large diversity of endophytes. Several endophytes harbor numerous plant growth promotion traits such as phosphates solubilization, siderophores production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity. In vivo analysis confirmed the plant growth promotion ability of two strains (Paenibacillus glycanilyticus LJ121 and Pseudomonas brenneri LJ215) in both sterilized and semi-natural conditions. Under field conditions, the co-inoculation of lupine by these strains increased shoot N content and grain yield by 25% and 36%, respectively. These two strains Paenibacillus glycanilyticus LJ121 and Pseudomonas brenneri LJ215 are effective plant growth-promoting bacteria and they may be used to develop an eco-friendly biofertilizer to boost white lupine productivity.
Keywords: Field inoculation; Lupinus; Nodule endophytes; PGPR; Productivity.