Effect of Colonization of an Endophytic Bacteria on Rice Growth

Abstract

Inoculation experiments of endophytic bacterium Azospirillum sp., an isolate from surface-sterilized stems of field-grown rice, were conducted in pots under a greenhouse condition, and in paddy fields. Inoculation with Azospirillum significantly enhanced the growth of newly generated leaves and shoot biomass under a greenhouse condition. When rice seedlings were treated with the bacterial suspension (1 x 10⁸ CFU/ml), followed by transplanting in paddy fields, the stem numbers and seed yield were markedly increased during the rice growth. These results indicated that Azospirillum sp. is a promising bacterial inoculant for plant growth promotion and agricultural practice.