Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in the production of English ryegrass

Abstract

The effect of inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis on the yield of fresh and dry mass of English ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) as well as on the number of rhizospheric microorganisms was studied. The microorganisms were introduced into the soil before sowing. The control plots were not inoculated. The number of microorganisms was determined after the third mowing. The yield was determined after the first, second and third mowing. In comparison with the control, after the first and second mowing, there was a statistically significant increase in the fresh and dry mass in both inoculated variants whereas after the third mowing, a statistically significant increase in the yield of fresh mass was recorded only in the variant with B. subtilis. The use of B. subtilis had a better effect on the total yield of the fresh and dry mass of English ryegrass. The number of the investigated groups of microorganisms, apart from actinomycetes, increased in the inoculated variants. Inoculation of P. fluorescens affected the increase of total number of bacteria and aminoheterotrophs whereas inoculation of B. subtilis affected the increase of the number of azotobacter and fungi.