Effect of Nano Silicon and Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Biomass, Nodulation and Some Physiological Traits of Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.)

پژوهشهای زراعی ایران

Article 5, Volume 20, Issue 4 - Serial Number 68, January 2023, Pages 435-449   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jcesc.2022.75528.1149

Authors

R Seyedsharifi^{* 1}; R Seyedsharifi²; H Narimani³

¹Department of Plant Production and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

²Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

³Ph.D Student, Department of Plant Production and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is one of the most important forage crops in the world. It contains 12 to 20% protein. Silicon (Si) existing in the Earth’s crust is classified as the most abundant element after oxygen. Although silicon is not considered an essential element for plant growth, but a number of studies have reported that it as an important factor in plants that plays an important role in the resistance mechanisms of plants against environmental stress. Also, it plays a crucial physiological role in photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content. One of the most effective factors in increasing the Grasspea biomass is seed inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Some of the benefits provided by PGPR are the ability to produce gibberellic acid, cytokinins and ethylene, N₂ fixation, solubilization of mineral phosphates and other nutrients. Numerous studies have shown a substantial increase in dry matter accumulation via inoculation with PGPR. Some researchers reported that seed inoculation with PGPR enhanced relative water content and photochemical efficiency of PSII lathyrus under water limitations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nano silicon and seed inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on biomass, nodulation and some physiological traits of Grasspea.
 Materials and Methods
In order to study the effect of nano silicon and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on biomass, nodulation and some physiological traits of Grasspea, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in research farm of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2021. Treatment were included application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria at four levels (no inoculation as control, seed inoculation with Azosprillum lipoferum strain OF, Psedomonas putida strain 186, both application of Azospirillium and Pseudomonas) and nano silicon foliar application at four levels (foliar application with water as control, foliar application 25, 50 and 75 mg.L^-1 nano silicon). The area is located at 38° 15ʹ N latitude and 48° 20ʹ E longitude with an elevation of 1350 m above mean sea level. Climatically, the area is situated in the wet zone with cool winter and hot summer. For inoculation, seeds were coated with gum Arabic as an adhesive and rolled into the suspension of bacteria until uniformly coated. Seeds were inoculated with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) at the rate of approximately 1 × 10⁷ colony forming units (CFU) mg^-1 just before planting. Foliar application of nano silicon was conducted in two stages of vegetative growth. Nano silicon powder added to deionized water and was placed on ultra sonic equipment (100 W and 40 kHz) on a shaker for better solution. At the Flowering stage, the leaves of plants were selected to measure the stem and leaf protein, chlorophyll index, RWC (relative water content), quantum yield, stomatal conductance and EC (electrical conductivity). RWC was calculated based on method of Kostopoulou et al. (2010). Chlorophyll Index was calculated by chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502; Konica Minolta Sensing, Inc., Japan). The Quantum yield of leaves was calculated with fluorometer (chlorophyll fluorometer; Optic Science-OS-30 USA). Stomata conductance was measured with a porometer system (Porometer AP4, Delta-T Devices Ltd., Cambridge, UK) according to the instructions in its manual. Leaf electrical conductivity (EC) values were measured at room temperature of 23±1°C using an electrical-conductivity meter. Analysis of variance and mean comparisons were performed using SAS 9.1 computer software packages. The main effects and interactions were tested using the least significant difference (LSD) test at the 0.05 probability level.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that both application of Azospirillium and Pseudomonas and foliar application of 75 mg.L^-1 nano silicon increased root weight and volume (40.4 and 41.9%), number of active nodules (81.2%), percentage of active nodules (33.2%), nodule dry weight (37.4%), chlorophyll index (46%), relative water content (46.3%), stomatal conductance (34.6%) and quantum yield (34.1%) in comparison with no application of PGPR and nano silicon. Also, the highest leaf and stem protein (23.37 and 12.66%) and total biomass (37.7 %) were obtained in both application of Azospirillium and Pseudomonas and foliar application of 75 mg.L^-1 nano silicon in comparison with no application of PGPR and nano silicon.
Conclusion
It seems that application of PGPR and foliar application of nano silicon can increase biomass of Lathyrus sativus due to nodulation and  improving  physiological traits.

Keywords

Active nodules; Azospirillium; Pseudomonas; Quantum yield; Relative water content

References

1. Abdelaal, K., AlKahtani, M., Attia, K., Hafez, Y., Király, L., & Künstler, A. (2021). The role of plant growth-promoting bacteria in alleviating the adverse effects of drought on plants. Biology, 10, 520. DOI: 3390/biology10060520
2. Abdelkarim, S., Jebara, S. H., Saadani, O., Chiboub, M., Abid, G., & Jebara, M. (2018). Effect of Pb-resistant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria inoculation on growth and lead uptake by Lathyrus sativus. Journal of Basic Microbiology, 58(7), 579-589. DOI: 11002/jobm.201700626
3. Abdollahi Arpanahi, A., Feizian, M., & Mehdipourian, G. (2019). Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria enhance oil content and physiological status of Thymus daenensis under drought stress. Journal of Herbal Drugs, 9(4), 223-231.
4. Agarie, S., Uchida, H., Agata, W., & Kubota, F. (1998). Effect of silicon on transpiration and leaf conductance in rice plants (Oryza sativa). Plant Production Science, 1, 89-95. https://doi.org/10.1626/pps.1.89
5. Ahire, M. L., Mundada, P. S., Nikam, T. D., Bapat, V. A., & Penna, S. (2021). Multifaceted roles of silicon in mitigating environmental stresses in plants. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 169, 291-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.11.010
6. AL-Aghabary, K., Zhujun, Z., & Qinhua, S. (2004). Influence of silicon supply on chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and antioxidative enzyme activities in tomato plant under salt stress. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 27, 21011-2115. org/10.1081/PLN-200034641
7. Al-Kahtani, M. D. F., Hafez, Y. M., Attia, K., Rashwan, E., Al-Husnain, L., Al-Gwaiz, H. I. M., & Abdelaal, K. A. A. (2021). Evaluation of silicon and proline application on the oxidative machinery in drought-stressed sugar beet. Antioxidants, 10(3), 398. DOI.org/10.3390/antiox10030398
8. Bashan, Y., Bustillos, J. J., Leyva, L. A., Hernandez, J. P., & Bacilio, M. (2006). Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 42(4), 279-285.
9. Batool, T., Ali, S., Seleiman, M. F., Naveed, N. H., Ali, A., Ahmed, K., Abid, M., Rizwan, M., Shahid, M. R., Alotaibi, M., Al-Ashkar, I., & Mubushar, M. (2020). Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria alleviates drought stress in potato in response to suppressive oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activities. Scientific Reports, 10, 16975. DOI: 1038/s41598-020-73489-z
10. Bejandi, T., Sharifi, R., Sedghi, M., & Namvar, A. (2012). Effects of plant density rhizobium inoculation and microelements on nodulation chlorophyll content and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Annals of Biological Research, 3(2), 951-958.
11. Bradford, M. M. (1976). A rapid and sensitive for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Analytical Biochemistry, 72(1-2), 248-254. DOI: 1006/abio.1976.9999 .
12. Chung, Y. S., Lee, U., Heo, S., Silva, R. R., & Kim, Y. (2020). Image-based machine learning characterizes root nodule in soybean exposed to silicon. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 520161. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.520161
13. Costa-Santos, M., Mariz-Ponre, N., Dias, M. C., Moura, L., Marques, G., & Santos, C. (2021). Effect of Bacillus and Brevibacillus sp. on the photosynthesis and redox status of Solanum lycopersicum. Horticulturae, 7, 24. DOI.org/10.3390/horticulturae7020024
14. Danaee, E., & Abdossi, V. (2021). Effects of silicon and nano-silicon on some morpho-physiological and phytochemical traits of peppermint (Mentha piperita) under salinity stress. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, 37(1), 98-112. (in Persian with English abstract). DOI: 10.22092/IJMAPR.2021.343340.2810
15. Dashadi, M., Khosravi, H., Moezzi, A., Nadian, H., & Heidari, M. (2011). Co-inoculation of rhizobium and Azotobacter on growth of faba bean under water deficit conditions. American-Eurasian Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 11(3), 314-319.
16. Das, I., Pradhan, A. K., & Singh, A. (2014). Yield and yield attributing parameters of organically cultivated mung bean as influenced by PGPR and organic manures. Journal of Crop and Weed, 10(1), 172-174.
17. Datnoff, L. E., Synder, G. H., & Korndorfer, G. H. (2001). Silicon in Agriculture. Elsevier. Amsterdam.
18. Eckardt, N. A. (2006). The role of flavonoids in root nodule development and auxin transport in Medicago truncatula. The Plant Cell, 18(7), 1539-1540. DOI: 1105/tpc.106.044768
19. Figueiredo, M., Seldin, L., De Araujo, F., & Mariano, R. (2010). Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria: Fundamentals and applications in plant growth and health promoting bacteria. D.K. Maheshwari (ed). Plant Growth and Health Promoting Bacteria. DOI: 1007/978-3-642-13612-2_2
20. Gong, H. J., Chen, K. M., & Zhao, Z. G. (2008). Effects of silicon on defense of wheat against oxidative stress under drought at different developmental stages. Biologia Plantarum, 52, 592-596. DOI: 1007/s10535-008-0118-0
21. Habibi,G., & Hajiboland, R. (2013). Alleviation of drought stress by silicon supplementation in pistachio (Pistacia vera ) plants. Folia Horticulturae, 25(1), 21-29. DOI: 10.2478/fhort-2013-0003
22. Hooker, K. V., Coxon, C. E., Hackett, R., Kirwan, L. E., O’Keeffe, E., & Richards, K. G. (2008). Evaluation of cover crop and reduced cultivation for reducing nitrate leaching in Ireland. Journal of Environmental Quality, 37(1), 138-145. DOI: 2134/jeq2006.0547
23. Khajeh, M., Mousavi Nik, S. M., Sirousmehr, A., Yadollah Dehcheshmeh, P., & Amiri, A. (2015). Effect of drought stress and foliar application of silicon on grain yield and photosynthetic pigments of wheat under Sistan conditions. Crop Physiology Journal, 7(26), 5-19. (in Persian).
24. Khan, N., Bani, A. M. D., & Babar, A. (2020). Impacts of plant growth promoters and plant growth regulators on rainfed agriculture. PLOS ONE, 15(4), e0231426. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231426
25. Kheirizadeh Arough, Y., & Seyed Sharifi, R. (2018). Effects of bio fertilizers and zinc on yield, variations of quantum yield, stomatal conductance and some physiological traits of triticale (Triticosecale) under withholding conditions. Journal of Process and Function, 7(26), 57-74. (in Persian with English abstract).
26. Kheirizadeh Arough, Y., Seyed Sharifi, R., & Khalilzadeh, R. (2019). Alleviation of salt stress effects in triticale (× Triticosecale) by bio fertilizers and zinc application. Journal of Plant Research, 31(4), 801-821. (in Persian with English abstract).
27. Kheirizadeh Arough, Y., Seyed Sharifi, R., Sedghi, M., & Barmaki, M. (2016). Effect of zinc and bio fertilizers on antioxidant enzymes activity, chlorophyll content, soluble sugars and proline in Triticale under salinity condition. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 44(1), 116-124. DOI: 15835/nbha44110224
28. Kostopoulou, P., Barbayiannis, N., & Basile, N. (2010). Water relations of yellow sweet clover under the synergy of drought and selenium addition. Plant and Soil 330, (1), 65-71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-0176-x
29. Liang, Y. C. 1998. Effects of silicon on leaf ultrastructure, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity in barley under salt stress. Pedosphere, 8, 289-296.
30. Liang, Y., Sun, W., Zhu, Y., & Christie, P. (2007). Mechanisms of silicon-mediated alleviation of abiotic stresses in higher plants- a review. Environmental Pollution, 147, 422-428. DOI: 1016/j.envpol.2006.06.008
31. Ma, J. F., & Yamaji, N. (2006). Silicon uptake and accumulation in higher plants. Trends Plant Science, 11, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2006.06.007
32. Maougal, R. T., Brauman, A., Plassard, C., Abadie, J. Djekoun, A., & Drevon, J. J. (2014). Response of Dahilia pinnata plant to foliar spray with putrescine and thiamine on growth, flowering and photosynthetic pigments. American Eurasian Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, 10, 769-775.
33. Mehraban Joubani, P., Barzegar, A., Barzegar Golchini, B., Ramezani Sayyad, A., & Abdolzadeh, A. (2019). Comparison of effects of iron excess and application of silicon on fluorescence of chlorophyll in shoot and developmental changes in root of rice seedlings. Iranian Journal of Plant Biology, 11(3), 17-32. (in Persian with English abstract). DOI. 22108/ijpb.2019.110931.1099
34. Morikawa, C. K., & Saigusa, M. (2004). Mineral composition and accumulation of silicon in tissues of blueberry (Vaccinum corymbosus Bluecrop) cuttings. Plant Soil, 258(1), 1-8.
35. Moussa, H. R. (2006). Influence of exogenous application of silicon on physiological response of salt-stressed maize (Zea mays). International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 8(2), 293-297.
36. Namvar, A., Seyed Sharifi, R., Sedghi, M., Asghari Zakaria, R., Khandan, , & Eskandarpour, B. (2011). Study on the effects of organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on yield, yield components, and nodulation state of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 42(9), 1097-1109. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2011.562587  
37. Naveed, M., Mehboob, I., Hussain, M. B., & Zahir, Z. A. (2015). Perspective of rhizobia inoculation for sustainable crop production. Plant Microbes Symbiosis: Applied Facets Publisher: Springer India Editors: N.K. Arora. DOI:10.1007/978-81-322-2068-8_11
38. Nazari, Zh., Seyed Sharifi, R., & Narimani, H. (2021). Effect of mycorrhiza, vermicompost and nanosilicon on current photosynthesis, dry matter remobilization and their contribution in grain yield of triticale under water limitation conditions. Crop Physiology Journal, 13(51), 5-24. (in Persian with English abstract). DOI: 22069/ejcp.2022.18925.2413
39. Nelwamondo, A., & Dakora, F. D. (1999). Silicon promotes nodule formation and nodule function in symbiotic cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). The New Phytologist, 142(3), 463-467. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00409.x
40. Prasad, T. N., Sudhakar, P., Sreenivasulu, Y., Latha, P., Munaswamy, V., Raja Reddy, K., Sreeprasad, T. S., & Sajanlal, P. R. (2012). Effect of nanoscale Zinc-oxide particles on the germination, growth and yield of peanut. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 35, 905-927. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2012.663443
41. Qados, A., & Moftah, A. E. (2015). Influence of silicon and nano-silicon on germination, Growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba) under salt stress conditions. American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 5, 509-524. DOI: 10.9734/AJEA/2015/14109
42. Rafiee, & Asadi-Rahmani, H. (2010). Isolation and identification of different species of Flavobacterium from the rhizosphere of wheat cultivated in the different regions of Iran. Journal of Water and Soil, 24(2), 254-261. (in Persian with English abstract). doi: 10.22067/jsw.v0i0.3242
43. Ruzzi, M., & Aroca, R. (2015). Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria act as biostimulants in horticulture. Scientia Horticulture, 196, 124-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2015.08.042
44. Sajed Gollojeh, K., Khomari, S., Shekhzadeh, P., Sabaghnia, N., & Mohebodini, M. (2020). The effect of foliar spray of nano silicone and salicylic acid on physiological traits and seed yield of spring rapeseed at water limitation conditions. Journal of Crop Production, 12(4), 137-156. (in Persian). doi: 22069/ejcp.2020.16396.2221
45. Saleem, M., Nawaz, F., Hussain, M. B., & Ikram, R. M. (2021). Comparative effects of individual and consortia plant growth promoting bacteria on physiological and  enzymatic mechanisms to confer drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays). Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 21, 3461-3476.
46. Sarah, M. S., Prado, R. D. M., Júnior, J. P. D. S., Texeira, G. C. M., Duarte, J. C. D. S., & Medeiros, R. L. S. D. (2021). Silicon supplied via foliar application and root to attenuate potassium deficiency in common bean plants. Scientific Reports, 11, 190-196. DOI: 1038/s41598-021-99194-z
47. Seyed Sharifi, R., & Hokmalipour, S. (2012). Forage Crops. University of Mohaghrgh Ardabili press. Ardabil. Iran. 508 pp. (in Persian).
48. Seyed Sharifi, R., & Namvar, A. (2016). Bio fertilizers in Agronomy. University of Mohaghrgh Ardabili press. Ardabil. Iran. 282 pp. (in Persian).
49. Seyed Sharifi, R., Seyed Sharifi, R., & Narimani, H. (2020). Effect of bio-fertilizers and putrescine on biomass, nodulation, and some morphological and biochemical traits of vetch (Vicia villosa) under rainfed condition. Journal of Crops Improvement, 22(4), 513-529. (in Persian with English abstract). doi: 22059/jci.2020.294125.2316
50. Seyed Sharifi, R., & Gholinezhad, E. (2021). Evaluation Agronomic and Morphophysiological Traits of Crop Plants. University of Mohaghrgh Ardabili press. Ardabil. Iran. 400 pp (in Persian).
51. Steenwerth, K., & Belina, K. M. (2008). Cover crops enhance soil organic matter, carbon dynamics and microbiological function in a vineyard agroecosystem. Applied Soil Ecology, 40(2), 359-369. DOI: 1016/j.apsoil.2008.06.006
52. Sun, C. W., Liang, Y. C., & Romheld, V. (2005). Effects of foliar-and root applied silicon on the enhancement of induced resistance to powdery mildow in Cucumis sativus. Journal of Plant Pathology, 54(5): 678-685. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3059.2005.01246.x
53. Verma, J., Yadav, J., & Tiwari, K. (2010). Application of Rhizobium BHURC01 and plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria on nodulation, plant biomass and yield of chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.). International Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(3), 148-156. DOI: 10.3923/ijar.2010.148.156
54. Vishnupradeep, R., Bruno, L. B., Taj, Z., Karthik, C., Challabathula, D., Tripti, Kumar, A., Freitas, H., & Rajkumar, M. (2022). Plant growth promoting bacteria improve growth and phytostabilization potential of Zea mays under chromium and drought stress by altering photosynthetic and antioxidant Technology & Innovation, 25, 102154. DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2021.102154
55. Yadegari, M. (2014). Inoculation of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds with rhizobium phaseoli and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Advances in Environmental Biology, 8(2), 419-424.
56. Yan, G., Nikolic, M., Ye, M., Xiao, Z., & Liang, Y. (2018). Silicon acquisition and accumulation in plant and its significance for agriculture. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 17(10), 2138-2150. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(18)62037-4
57. Zare, H., Ghanbarzadeh, Z., Behdad, A., & Mohsenzadeh, S. (2015). Effect of silicon and nanosilicon on reduction of damage caused by salt stress in maize (Zea mays) seedlings. Iranian Journal of Plant Biology, 7, 59-74. (in Persian with English abstract). DOI: 20.1001.1.20088264.1394.7.26.6.8
58. Zarooshan, M., Abdilzadeh, A., Sadeghipour, H. R., & Mehrabanjoubani, P. (2020). Comparison of the effect of silicon and nano-silicon on some biochemical and photosynthetic traits of Zea mays L. under salinity stress. Journal of Plant Environmental Physiology, 15(57), 23-38. (in Persian). DOI: 22069/jopp.2022.18995.2802
59. Zhang, G., Cui, Y., Ding, X., & Dai, Q. (2013). Stimulation of phenolic metabolism by silicon contributes to rice resistance to sheath blight. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 176(1), 118-124. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201200008