Abstract

The aim of this research was to isolate and to characterize native plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) in the rhizosphere of crops of Dioscorea rotundata from representative areas of the Colombian Caribbean such as Montes de María, Sabanas Colinadas y Valle del Sinú, and to evaluate the effect of the inoculation of these, a greenhouse level, on the in vitro seedling of Dioscorea rotundata. The characteristics of plant growth promotion in vitro were determined by the production of auxins by Salkowsky colorimetric method and phosphorus solubilization. The strains were tested with in vitro seedlings of Dioscorea rotundata, in which variables of height, root length, aerial and root dry weight, were determined. All strains can produce auxins and solubilize phosphorus. A positive effect on seedling growth parameters was observed in the greenhouse after 60 days of planting, most of the strains per zone generated increases mainly the dry root weight in the seedlings of Dioscorea rotundata compared to the control without inoculation, outstanding strains were as follow, Enterobacter cloacae DSC6 with a significant increase (p≤0.05) of 147%, Azotobacter vinelandii DVS9 with 126%, Azotobacter vinelandii DCR11 with 108% (p≤0.05), Brevibacillus laterosporus DSC19 with 96%, Bacillus subtilis DSC82 with 88% (p≤0.05), Azotobacter vinelandii DSC72 with 54% and Pseudomonas denitrificans, DVS10 with 48%. The results suggested that microorganisms isolated from the rhizosphere have potential as biofertilizers.

Keywords: Azotobacter; Bacillus; Pseudomonas; Auxine; Biofertilizers