We have previously discussed on this blog how Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) work, mainly focusing on the phosphorus (P) solubilisation actions they can perform. The P solubilisation is an extremely important mode of action for these bacteria, but it’s not the whole story. XiteBio’s PGPR offer other modes of action that are just as important to a developing crop as available P. In this week’s edition of growing possibilities, we will be looking at the phytohormone production and iron chelation properties of the PGPR like XiteBio® Yield+ and how they help your crop reach its potential.

While plant-available phosphates are understandably very important to growers, the abilities of PGPR to release phytohormones and chelate iron are just as beneficial to your crop and should not be overlooked.

Phytohormones are chemical signals that stimulate and direct plant growth and physiology. Scientists have discovered many different kinds of phytohormones, and each of them plays a unique role in plant life. For example: the most prominent phytohormone released by XiteBio® Yield+, Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), helps regulate root and shoot growth and encourages development of root systems early in a plant’s life (1).

Phytohormones are utilised by plants regardless of environment, but become especially critical under stressful conditions. Drought, high salinity, soil toxicity, nutrient deficiencies, and many other environmental stress factors would be impossible to overcome without a coordinated response. Phytohormones are a plant’s way to regulate and stimulate this response. However, sometimes these adverse conditions, like high salinity, can disrupt a plant’s ability to make phytohormones (2). This can make a difficult situation even worse, so integration of PGPR bacteria that can stimulate and produce these phytohormones would be essential in mitigating the damage done in scenarios like these.

Iron is an essential nutrient for plants, and is used in the production of chlorophyll. Plants acquire iron through the acidification of soil surrounding their roots, so high pH and excess soil moisture can prevent the acidification/uptake of available iron and therefore effect chlorophyll production (3). The PGPR like XiteBio® Yield+ have been shown to help increase plant-available iron by releasing molecules called siderophores into the soil (3). Siderophores bind to iron in the soil and chelate it, preventing it from being lost before plants have a chance to acquire it. This creates a reservoir of iron available to the host plant and lowers the risk of iron deficiency.

So, how can you incorporate PGPR with these abilities into your crop input plan? XiteBio® Yield+ is a premium liquid biological approved for use on oilseeds, cereals, legumes and tuber crops that offers all of these benefits and more. XiteBio® Yield+ comes in an easy-to-use, all in one package and can be applied in-furrow with your starter fertilizers during seeding or in a tank-mix with your early post-emergent herbicides/fertilizers during the 0-6 leaf stage. XiteBio® Yield+ is also approved for organic use in Canada. Click here to learn more about XiteBio® Yield+ and how it can give your crop an early season boost.

References:

1) Radhakrishnan, R., Hashem, A., Abd-Allah, E. 2017. Bacillus: A Biological Tool for Crop Improvement through Bio-Molecular Changes in Adverse Environments. Front. Physiol. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00667/full

2) Egamberdieva, D., Wirth, S., Alqarawi, A. et al. 2017. Phytohormones and Beneficial Microbes: Essential Components for Plants to Balance Stress and Fitness. Front. Microbio. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2017.02104/full

3) Liu D, Yang Q, Ge K, Hu X, Qi G, Du B, Liu K, Ding Y. Promotion of iron nutrition and growth on peanut by Paenibacillus illinoisensis and Bacillus sp. strains in calcareous soil. Braz J Microbiol. 2017 Oct-Dec;48(4):656-670. doi: 10.1016/j.bjm.2017.02.006.