Research articles
ScienceAsia 50 (2024):ID 2024020 1-8 |doi:
10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2024.020
Improvement of rice growth and yield by seedling
pretreatment to induce the artificial coexistence of
nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria and root seedling
Supenya Chittapun*, Kunthida Lomphengthian, Nuankamol Amnuaysin, Chanitchote Piyapittayanun
ABSTRACT: The induction of an association between a nitrogen-fixing organism and a plant could potentially offer
an alternative approach to ensure a sustainable supply of nitrogen for plants. This research aimed to explore the
practicality of inducing the coexistence of Nostoc commune TUBT05, a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium, and rice
seedlings. Seedling roots were facilitated with and without ultrasonic waves and further cocultured in BG-110
solution
mixed with N. commune TUBT05. The effects of this artificial coexistence on the growth and yield of rice were
investigated through pot experiments. Untreated and pretreated seedling roots with ultrasonic waves and further
immersion in cyanobacterial solution showed an association between the seedling roots with different characteristics.
When untreated roots were further cultivated in cyanobacterial solution, a cyanobacterial filamentous film covering
the root surface was observed while the cluster of scattered cyanobacteria grown on small fragments of the pretreated
root surface was found after immersion in cyanobacterial solution. Both pretreated and untreated seedling roots with
ultrasonication before immersion showed significant growth promotion in seedlings and rice (p < 0.05). The association
of N. commune TUBT05 with rice seedling roots significantly enhanced yield (p < 0.05). Ultrasonication applied during
induction showed no stress effect on seedlings. This study suggested that the creation of artificial coexistence between
plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria via simply soaking seedling roots in nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria could be used
in agronomic processes to enhance the growth and yield of economically important crops. Further assessment of the
feasibility and effectiveness of this approach under field conditions is needed.
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Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Rangsit Centre, Pathum
Thani 12120 Thailand |
* Corresponding author, E-mail: supenyac@tu.ac.th
Received 3 Jan 2023, Accepted 18 Jan 2024
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