H. Bertrand et al., Stimulation of the ionic transport system in Brassica napus by a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (Achromobacter sp.), CAN J MICRO, 46(3), 2000, pp. 229-236
A plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium belonging to the genus Achromobacte
r was isolated from the oilseed-rape (Brassica napus) root. Growth promotio
n bioassays were performed with oilseed rape seedlings in a growth chamber
in test tubes containing attapulgite and mineral nutrient solution, contain
ing NO3- as N source. The presence of this Achromobacter strain increased s
hoot and root dry weight by 22-33% and 6-21%, respectively. Inoculation of
young seedlings with the Achromobacter bacteria induced a 100% improvement
in NO3- uptake by the whole root system. Observations on the seminal root o
f seedlings 20 h after inoculation showed that there was an enhancement of
both the number and the length of root hairs, compared to non-inoculated se
edlings. Electrophysiological measurements of NO3- net flux with ion-select
ive microelectrodes showed that inoculation resulted in a specific increase
of net nitrate flux in a root zone morphologically similar in inoculated a
nd non-inoculated plants. The root area increased due to root hair stimulat
ion by the Achromobacter bacteria, which might have contributed to the impr
ovement of NO3- uptake by the whole root system, together with the enhancem
ent of specific NO3- uptake rate. Moreover, inoculated plants showed increa
sed potassium net influx and proton net efflux. Overall, the data presented
suggest that the inoculation of oilseed-rape with the bacteria Achromobact
er affects the mineral uptake.