Abstract

Three bacterial strains (Pseudomonas species, P1; Pseudomonas mendocina, P2; andStenotrophomonas maltophilia, S3) were investigated in this study to assess their growth stimulatory effects on Triticum aestivum plants. These strains are Gram negative, motile, aerobic rods with catalase and oxidase positive. In general, seed inoculations of these bacteria (mono and mixed cultures) promoted germination, early growth parameters, auxin content, soluble protein content, peroxidase and acid phosphatase activity relative to non-inoculated control seedlings. Mixed cultures inoculations resulted in some decrease in various growth parameters. Almost 15 to 43% decrease in dry weight of plants was observed as compared to non-inoculated control. Bacterial inoculation (Pseudomonassp., P1) resulted in significantly higher acid phosphatase (40%) and peroxidase (39.7%)contents of plant when compared with non-inoculated control. Mixed culture combination showed pronounced synergistic effects relative to respective monocultures.

Key words: Pseudomonas, Triticum aestivum, auxin, acid phosphatase, peroxidase,Stenotrophomonas.