Influence of growth-promoting bacteria on the growth of wheat in different soils and temperatures

Plant-growth-promoting bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere, phyllosphere and soil of the root zone in different climatic regions of Germany and Uzbekistan were analysed for plant-growth-promoting effects and nutrient uptake on winter wheat on different soils and under different temperature regimes. The investigations were carried out in pot experiments using loamy sand and sandy loam soils from Muncheberg, Germany and Calcisol soil from Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The temperature and soil types were found to influence growth-promoting effects. Inoculation with bacterial strains Pseudomonas fluorescens PsIA12, Pantoea agglomerans 050309 and Mycobacterium sp. 44 isolated from Muncheberg (semi-continental climate) was found to significantly increase the root and shoot growth of winter wheat at 16 degreesC compared to 26 degreesC in loamy sand. Mycobacterium phlei MbP18 and Mycoplana bullata MpB46 isolated from Tashkent (semi-arid climate) were found to significantly increase the root and shoot growth of winter wheat in nutrient-poor Calcisol at 38 degreesC as well as in nutrient-rich loamy sand at 16 degreesC. Bacterial inoculation also resulted in significantly higher N, P, and K contents of plant components. The bacteria isolates were able to survive in the rhizosphere and in the soil of winter wheat after root and shoot inoculation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.