Journal of Environmental Biology

Characterization of phyllosphere methylotrophic bacteria isolated from the groundnut and their impact on growth, yield and quality of the kernel

R. Krishnamoorthy^1,2, R. Anandham^1,3*, P. Indiragandhi⁴, R. Vaidyanathan⁵, A. Mothilal⁴, V. Karunakaran⁴, R. Brindavathy⁵, K. Kumutha¹ and M. Senthilkumar⁶ 

¹Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural College and Research, Madurai- 625 104, India

²Department of Crop Management, Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi- 642 103, India

³Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India

⁴Regional Research Station, TNAU, Vriddhachalam-606 001, India

⁵Oilseeds Research Station, TNAU, Tindivanam-612 101, India

⁶Department of Crop Management, Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Eachangkottai-614 902, India

*Corresponding Author Email : anandhamranga@gmail.com

Paper received: 30.05.2019??????? ?????????????????????????????????????? Revised received: 19.10.2019????????????? ????????????????????????????????????? Accepted: 05.11.2019

Abstract

Aim: The present study was undertaken to characterize and evaluate the habitat adopted methylotrophic bacteria on groundnut growth and yield at field level.

Methodology: Nine elite methylotrophic bacterial isolates were selected based on early plant growth promotion and quantified for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits along with one standard strain, Methylobacterium thiocyanatum DSM 11490^T. Two field experiments were carried out? with eleven different treatments arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Bacterial inoculant was applied as seed treatment as well as foliar application at 35 and 70 days after sowing. Plant growth and yield parameters were estimated periodically and after harvest.          

Results: All the tested isolates exhibited multiple PGP traits. In Vriddhachalam, the yield of groundnut was significantly higher in Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4 (1688.9 kg ha^-1) followed by Paenibacillus hunanensis COG-4 (1675.8 kg ha^-1) compared to un inoculated control treatment. In Tindivanam, yield content of groundnut was found significantly higher in Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4 (1678.6 kg ha^-1) followed by Pseudomonas psychrotolerans K-TMV7-6 (1667.5 kg ha^-1). In addition, Methylobacterium inoculation increased the kernel protein content as compared to the control treatment in both the field experiments.??????? ???     

Interpretation: The results showed that Methylobacterium populi TMV7-4, Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4, Pseudomonas psychrotolerans K-TMV7-6 may be used as bio-inoculant for groundnut crop.? ???   

Key words: Groundnut, Kernel quality, Methylotrophic bacteria, mxaF gene

Copyright ? 2020 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).