Legume Research

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Legume Research, volume 43 issue 1 (february 2020) : 81-86

Influence of Rhizobium, Pseudomonas and Mycorrhiza on Some Physiological Traits of Red Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under different irrigation conditions

Ebrahim Abbasi Seyahjani1, Mehrdad Yarnia1, Farhad Farahvash1,*, Mohammad Bagher Khorshidi Benam2, Hadi Asadi Rahmani3
1Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
2Seed and Plant Improvement Research Department, East Azarbayjan Agricultural and natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO. Tabriz, Iran.
3Soil and Water Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
  • Submitted21-09-2018|

  • Accepted08-04-2019|

  • First Online 24-05-2019|

  • doi 10.18805/LR-454

Cite article:- Seyahjani Abbasi Ebrahim, Yarnia Mehrdad, Farahvash Farhad, Benam Khorshidi Bagher Mohammad, Rahmani Asadi Hadi (2019). Influence of Rhizobium, Pseudomonas and Mycorrhiza on Some Physiological Traits of Red Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under different irrigation conditions . Legume Research. 43(1): 81-86. doi: 10.18805/LR-454.
This study was conducted to evaluate response red bean (CV. Goli) under drought stress conditions for three types of biological fertilizers in 2014 - 2015 years. A split plot experiment was conducted in Tabriz, Iran. Irrigation levels (irrigation after 70, 110, and 150 mm of evaporation from pan) were considered as main plots, and biological fertilizers Rhizobium (Rp), Mycorrhiza (My), Pseudomonas (Ps), Rp + My, Rp + Ps, Rp + My + Ps, and non-inoculation (control) were considered as sub plots. Combination of Rhizobium, Mycorrhiza, and Pseudomonas at irrigation level of more than 70 mm of evaporation had the highest grain yield, RWC, CCI, stomata conductance, leaf water potential and lowest cell leakage. Triple inoculation increased grain yield in comparison to the control, or to the time they were used individually or simultaneously; it also reduced the negative effects of drought stress on the beans. 
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has always faced numerous limitations and problems. Only 7 % of the total land dedicated to beans plantation globally has sufficient water and 60 % of beans agriculture is carried out under intense drought stress conditions (Bourgault et al., 2013). Due to absorption of more food and water from the soil, the plants with Mycorrhiza symbiosis have better growth and yield and have better resistance against environmental stresses (Haghighatnia et al., 2013). Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) increase the plant’s productivity and safety as well as activate induced systemic tolerance (resistance) (ISR) against abiotic stresses including drought and salinity (Yang et al., 2009).
       
Espidkar et al., (2016) claimed that Mycorrhiza increases the bacterial inoculation efficiency of pseudomonas in the young plant and increases grain yield by increasing the absorption of nutrients and resistance against drought. Suarez et al., (2008) reported that the inoculation of beans with Rhizobium under drought stress conditions increased performance by 30% in comparison to the control. Owing to the significance of using appropriate methods for reducing the negative effects of drought, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of Mycorrhiza arbuscular and the growth promoting bacteria of Rhizobium and Pseudomonas on some physiological traits and grain yield of Goli red bean under drought conditions.
In order to determine the effect of bio-fertilizers on Goli red bean under different irrigation conditions, an experiment was conducted in 2014 and 2015 in the Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. The altitude of the site is 1360 m above sea level(asl), lying at longitude E46.17 and latitude N38.5.
       
The experiment was carried out as split plot in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The irrigation levels included irrigation after 70 (I1), 110 (I2), and 150 (I3) mm evaporation from class A pan considered as the main plots and bio-fertilizers with seven levels that included (F1) Rhizobium (R. phaseoli), (F2) Mycorrhiza (Glomus mosseae), (F3) Pseudomonas (P. fluorescens), (F4) Rhizobium + Mycorrhiza, (F5) Rhizobium + Pseudomonas, (F6) Mycorrhiza+ Rhizobium+ Pseudomonas and (F7) Control comprised the sub plots.       
       
Each replication consisted of seven experimental units of (3×2) m2 and each plot included four rows with a distance of 50 cm in between. In both years, planting was done in the second half of May. While preparing the land, 100 kg/ha of triple phosphate and 50 kg/ha of urea were added. The seeds were inoculated with the bacteria by seed dressing while planting in the early hours of the day. From each of bacterium 10 g was added to every 1 kg of seeds and mixed well. After inoculating the seeds and drying them under a shade, plantation was carried out immediately. Before plantation, 5 g of Mycorrhiza fungus (Glomus mosseae) was placed in the plantation hole at a depth of (3 to 4) cm. The bacteria population was 2×107, and Mycorrhiza had at least 80 propagules (living fungus unit) per gram. Planting was done manually and plant density was adjusted to 20 plant/m2. Weeds were also controlled manually during the plant’s growth period. Until 8 to 10 leaf phase, irrigation was done at every 70 mm of evaporation from the class A pan. After this phase, the control plots were irrigated 11 times, and after 110 mm and 150 mm of evaporation from the class A pan, they were irrigated seven and five times, respectively. At the late flowering stage, Relative Water Content (RWC), leaf water potential, cell leakage, chlorophyll content index, stomata conductance, and density of stomata on the abaxial and adaxial surface of leaves were measured. During harvesting, grain yield was calculated. For measuring the relative water content, the highest young leaf was selected, and it’s wet, saturated and dry weights were determined, and RWC was calculated by using the following formula
 
 (Fazeli-Rostampouret_al2013):
 
RWC = (saturated weight - dry weight)/ (wet weight - dry weight) × 100
 
       
For measuring cellular leakage (in stress period), the method proposed by Hu et al., (2009) was adopted. For counting the number of stomata during the pollination phase were used the Replica method by optic microscope with a 40X lens (Yano-Melo, 2003). The stomata resistance of the last leaf from the top in the early hours of the day was determined by using a porometer (AP4 Model).
       
The chlorophyll content index was recorded with (KONICA MINOLTA) SPAD-502. For measuring the leaves’ water potential (Ψw), three leaves from the top were separately placed inside a pressure chamber instrument of SANTA BARBARA. CA. USA model and Ψw were obtained (Hu et al., 2009). Statistical data analysis was performed based on statistical model of split plot test using SAS 9.1 software and mean comparisons was compared by Duncan’s multi-range test method at 5% level. Diagrams were obtained with Excel software.
The results of combined analysis of variance of two years are showed in Table 2.
 

Table 2: Combined analysis of variance of measured traits in two years 2014-2015.


 
Physiological Characteristics
Chlorophyll content index
Highest level of chlorophyll content in first year with a mean of 46.70 was in treatment compound I1F6 and lowest chlorophyll content with a mean of 12.07 was in treatment compound I3F0. In second year, highest chlorophyll content belonged to the treatment compound I1F6 with a mean of 49.89 and lowest chlorophyll content in second year with a mean of 11.11 belonged to treatment compound I3F0 (Table 3). Combined inoculation of bean with Rhizobium, pseudomonas and mycorrhizal fungi under optimal irrigation conditions as well as in water shortage conditions compared to non-inoculated control increased significantly chlorophyll content of plant and under water shortage conditions highest resistance was seen against water shortage and finally highest seed yield has been obtained. Effect of biological fertilizers on leaf may depend on efficiency of fixed nitrogen supply biologically, soluble phosphorus and production of plant hormones, which can stimulate absorption of nutrients, enhance process of photosynthesis in plant and thereby enhance plant growth (Manbari et al., 2017). Kaur et al., (2015) in a study on chickpea stated that Rhizobium inoculation significantly increased chlorophyll content as compared to control.
 

Table 1: The results of soil experiment of farm site in 2014-2015.


 
The density of stomata on abbaxial and addaxial
 
According to Table 3, in first year, highest density of stomata on abbaxial (d = 188) was obtained from compound I3F0 and lowest density of stomata (d = 19) was obtained from the compound I1F6. In second year, highest density of stomata on abbaxial (d = 149) was obtained from the compound I3F0 and lowest density of stomata (d = 28) was obtained from compound I1F6. In all compounds, increasing irrigation range from 70 mm to 150 mm evaporation increased density of stomata on abbaxial. This may be due to reduced leaf area and cell size due to water shortage stress and as a result of increased stomatal density. The large number of stomata on addaxial is also directly related to the loss of water from the leaf (Doheny-Adams et al., 2012).
       
In first year, highest density of stomata on addaxial (d = 63) was in compound I3F0 and lowest density of stomata (d = 11) was in compound I1F6. In second year, the maximum density of stomata on addaxial (d = 60) was in compound I3F0 and minimum density of stomata (d = 15) was in compound I1F6. Results showed that triple application of biological fertilizers under no stress and water shortage conditions had less density of stomata.
 
Stomata conductance
 
According to Table 3, highest stomata conductance (0.99 sec/cm) in first year was seen in compound I1Fand lowest (12.2 Sec/cm) was seen in the treatment compound I3F0. In second year, highest stomata conductance (1.30 Sec/cm) belonged to compound I1F6 and lowest (15 sec/cm) belonged to compound I3F0. Bean stomata conduction response to biological fertilizers under maximum water shortage conditions has not been significantly influenced by biological fertilizers but under optimal irrigation conditions it has been more affected by biological fertilizers, so that in first year, the compounds I1F1, I1F3, I1F5 and I1F6 showed an increase in stomata conductance by 52.63 %, 36.84 %, 31.57 % and 73.68 % compared to compound I1F0, respectively. In second year, compounds I1F4, I1F5 and I1F6 compared to compound I1F0 showed an increase in stomata conductance by 43.66 %, 49.29 % and 83.06 % (Table 3). Manafi et al., (2010) reported that both species of mycorrhizal fungus increased stomata conductance significantly compared to the control, and with increasing humidity stress, stomata conduction reduced. In this case, we can say that mycorrhizal plants can better drain soil water, thus keep stomata more open and less exposed to water shortage stress.
 
Cell leakage
 
According to Table 3, highest leakage rate in first year was observed in compound I3F0 (81.33 mmho/cm), and lowest was observed in the compound I1F6 (9.33 mmho/cm). In second year, highest leakage rate was observed in compound I3F0 (72 mmho/cm) and lowest was observed in treatment compound I1F6 (8 mmho/cm). In compounds with increasing levels of water shortage, cellular leakage increased due to the fact that the cytoplasmic membrane of plants’ cells under stress had low stability, as well as plants under water shortage conditions compared to plants under common conditions of irrigation had higher EC. Higher EC indicates low cytoplasmic membranes. As a result, under water shortage conditions, membrane has low stability, resulting in an increase in intracellular leakage. Water shortage with affecting the structure of membrane of cell increases the permeability of membrane relative to ions and macromolecules. Triple application of biological fertilizers under both normal irrigation and maximum water shortage conditions had least leakage among other biological fertilizers, it is likely that triple application of biological fertilizers provided plant with more suitable conditions and causes increasing diameter of plant cell wall and reducing cell leakage in plants.
 
Relative water content (RWC)
 
Highest RWC in first year with a mean of 61.67 % was in compound I1F6 and lowest RWC with a mean of 43.33 % belonged to compound I3F0. In second year, highest RWC (69.53 %) belonged to the compound I1F6 and lowest RWC (45.03 %) was observed in compound I3F0 (Table 3). Mean comparison of treatments showed that F6 biological fertilizer had the most significant effect on RWC at all three levels of irrigation compared to other biological fertilizers, and could be more effective on reducing the side effects of water shortage. Higher RWC of leaf in triple-inoculation treatment may possibly be attributed to fact that mycorrhiza fungus with producing a network of hyphae provided plant with much soil volume, thus providing plant roots with much water. Auge et al., (2015) stated that mycorrhiza absorbs more water and improves the aqueous interactions of plants through changes in the root morphology, prolongation of the host plant root system and increase in absorption through the fungi hyphae. Also, accumulation of ions or organic matter in leaf cells’ vacuola under water shortage stress occurs more in mycorrhizal plants and reduces osmotic potential of leaf cells.
 
Leaf water potential (LWP)
 
LWP under optimal irrigation conditions (irrigation after 70 mm evaporation) with a range of -6.134 bar was significantly higher than irrigation withdrawal treatments and under water shortage conditions (irrigation after 110 mm and 150 mm evaporation) with a significant difference was in two different statistical group. Loss of LWP in irrigation after 110 mm and 150 mm evaporation are 45% and 98%, respectively, compared to irrigation after 70 mm evaporation (Fig 1). With reducing water potential in soil, transpiration rate of plant reduced and growth limited (Mullet and Whitsitt, 1996).
 

Fig 1: The mean effect of irrigation levels on leaf water potential.


       
Highest LWP was obtained in first year in F6, which was -8.49 bar. Lowest LWP was observed in F0 treatment. In second year, highest LWP was obtained in F6 treatment equivalent to -7.36 bar, and lowest LWP was obtained in F0 treatment (Table 4). In first year, application of F4 and F6 biological fertilizers increased LWP by 12.69% and 15.77%, respectively, in comparison with control (Table 4). In second year, application of F1, F2, F4, F5 and F6 fertilizers increased LWP by 10.31%, 12.30%, 20.33%, 16.33% and 26.98%, respectively, compared to F0  treatment (Fig 2). Mycorrhiza fungus increased leaf water potential in comparison with non-fungal plants by opening plant stomata, increasing evaporation and water absorption (Zarei et al., 2013).
 

Fig 2: Mean comparisons interaction effects year and biofertilizer for two year experiment.


 
Grain yield
 
In first year, highest grain yield (3564 kg/ha) was seen in the treatment compound I1F6 and lowest yield (482.3 kg/ha) was seen in the treatment compound. In second year, highest grain yield (4621.4 kg/ha) belonged to the treatment compound I1F6 and lowest yield (553.3 kg/ha) belonged to the treatment compound I3F0 (Table 3). All treatments of biological fertilizers at all irrigation levels increased grain yield of beans compared to the control treatment (Table 3). With increasing the intensity of water shortage stress, yield reduced, and biological fertilizers, especially in combination with F6, had a positive effect on grain yield and increased yield compared to the treatments with no biological fertilizer. The highest yield was in the treatments with biological fertilizers when water needed for the plant is provided and the lowest grain yield was observed in the treatments with no biological fertilizers and maximum water shortage conditions. These results indicate a positive correlation between Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus, Rhizobium bacteria and Pseudomonas bacteria, the  application of which increased yield compared to the separate application of these three microorganisms. It seems that rhizobium biological fertilizer increases the yield of beans under optimal irrigation conditions with increasing the efficiency of biological fixation of nitrogen. Rhizobacteria stimulating the growth of plants with increasing the plant access to important nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus and increasing root growth increased bean grain yield under both optimal irrigation and water shortage conditions. Also combined application of (F1+F2+F3) might have helped to enhance the biological activity in the soil, soil characters’ improvements, better root development, improved transport of nutritional elements, enhanced chlorophyll content synthesis and photosynthesis, solubilization of nutrients resulting in higher nutrients uptake by red bean compared to other treatments. Khandelwal et al., (2012) reported that the inoculation of Rhizobium + PSB increased cowpea grain yield by 13.80 % compared to the control Lingaraju et al., (2016) reported higher seed yield of soybean was obtained with the treatment combination of dual inoculation of PSB+VAM compared to control.
The results showed that although water shortage stress reduced studied traits more or less, use of biological fertilizers could reduce negative impacts of water shortage stress. Meanwhile, application of F6 fertilizer in both years under optimal irrigation and water shortage conditions is very important. Results indicated a positive correlation between Mycorrhiza, Rhizobium and Pseudomonas. Their application, through increasing absorption of nutrients and tolerance of water shortage conditions, increased grain yield relative to the three microorganisms’ separate and combined application. Therefore, it is suggested to use these microorganisms as a promising technology in combined and simultaneous application (Rhizobium, mycorrhiza and pseudomonas) in arid and semi-arid regions, both under optimal irrigation conditions and under conditions of irrigation shortage or uncertain rainfall in order to cope with water shortage stress for sustainable agriculture goals.

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