Smart partnership: Plant-rhizobacteria associations
Malaysia is one of the twelve mega~biodiversity countries blessed with diverse forms of microflora and fauna together with their complex microbial associations. The unique smart partnership between root-associated and colonizing bacteria (rhizobacteria) and plants is vital for the sustainability...
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| Format: | Inaugural Lecture |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2005
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/119720/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/119720/1/119720.pdf |
| Summary: | Malaysia is one of the twelve mega~biodiversity countries blessed with diverse forms of
microflora and fauna together with their complex microbial associations. The unique smart
partnership between root-associated and colonizing bacteria (rhizobacteria) and plants is
vital for the sustainability of the global ecosystem namely the contribution towards nutrient
cycling and plant growth. Various symbiotic and associative rhizobacterial associations
are discussed in this paper with focus on the contribution of rhizobia and plant growth
promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in legumes and non-leguminous economic crops under
acidic, humid tropical environment. Different plant-rhizobacterial adaptations are
exemplified to demonstrate the unique abilities of these associations to overcome the
adverse effects of soil environment. Locally isolated Bradyrhizobium (UPMR29, 48),
Azorhizobium (UPMR42, 43, 44), and PGPR (Bacillus sphaericus UPMBlO, UPMB12, 13, 14)
strains show varying competitiveness and compatibility in their symbiotic and nonsymbiotic
associations with several leguminous covers, pasture and food legumes
(groundnut, winged bean, vegetable soybean) and non-leguminous food (sweet potato,
banana) and economic crops (oil palm). The ability of these bacteria and their plant
associations to overcome abiotic stresses, increase plant nutrient uptake, growth and yield
are highlighted. The competitive PGPR strains namely Bacillus sphaericus UPMBlO was
characterized and the optimum growth requirement, inoculum carrier (ground oil palm
frond) and inoculum production technique identified. Anew cost-effective and high quality
inoculant production technology for these rhizobacteria with high commercial potential
is featured. In Malaysia, there is greater possibility for more smart partnerships involving
many plant-rhizobacterial associations to be developed for economic benefits to the nation. |
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