Inoculation with Biofilm of Bacillus subtilis Promotes the Growth of Lactuca sativa

Gabriela Cristina Sarti, Mirta Esther Galelli, Silvana Arreghini, Josefina Ana Eva Cristóbal-Miguez, José Alfredo Curá and Antonio Paz-González ()
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Gabriela Cristina Sarti: Inorganic and Analitic Chemistry Cathedra, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
Mirta Esther Galelli: Agrofood Area, Department of Applied Biology and Food, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
Silvana Arreghini: Inorganic and Analitic Chemistry Cathedra, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
Josefina Ana Eva Cristóbal-Miguez: Inorganic and Analitic Chemistry Cathedra, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
José Alfredo Curá: Biochemistry Cathedra, Department of Applied Biology and Food, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
Antonio Paz-González: AQUATERRA Group, Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology, CICA, As Carballeiras, s/n Campus de Elviña, University of A Coruna, 15008 Coruna, Spain

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-16

Abstract: In Argentina, the excessive use of fertilizers is common in intensively cultivated zones around highly populated areas. Bioinoculants based on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could be effective for crop production improvement without negative effects on the environment. The objective of this work was to evaluate an alternative inoculation method, namely the application of the biofilm produced by Bacillus subtilis as a growth promoter on seeds of three varieties of Lactuca sativa , and to compare it with the common planktonic approach. Biofilm was obtained under static culture conditions, while planktonic inoculum was produced at 150 rpm. The major biofilm effects were observed with Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii , that showed antifungal activity against phytopathogens, synthesized plant growth regulators (IAA, cytokinin and ABA) and solubilized phosphates. The Grand Rapid variety inoculated with biofilm showed the best results, with 30% and 37% higher aerial and root biomass, respectively, compared to the planktonic form. Moreover, the biofilm positive effects were observed through successive plant development stages until harvest, when the bacterium was recovered from the interior of the roots. The biofilm of B. subtilis subsp. spizizenii behave as a superior growth-promoting inoculant compared to the traditional planktonic inoculation technique.

Keywords: bacterial biofilm; Bacillus subtilis; Lactuca sativa; PGPR (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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