Deciphering the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in the tolerance of the invasive cordgrass Spartina densiflora to physicochemical properties of salt-marsh soils

11 páginas.-- 6 figuras.-- 2 tablas.-- 36 referencias

Background and aims A glasshouse experiment was conceived to assess the role of a bacterial consortium (Pseudomonas composti SDT3, Aeromonasaquariorum SDT 13 and Bacillus sp. SDT14) isolated from the rizhosphere of S. densiflora on its growth and physiological tolerance to the physicochemical properties of marsh soils. Methods Two inoculation treatments (with and without inoculation) in combination with two soil types (from Piedras and Odiel marshes, SW Spain) were assigned for 50 days. Growth parameters, combined with measurements of gas exchange, efficiency of PSII biochemistry, photosynthetic pigments and leaf water content were measured. In addition, the accumulation of nutrients and trace elements were determined.

We are grateful to Antonio Ruiz Rico for revision of the English text of this manuscript, Cristian Gómez for technical assistance and Antonio Diaz-Espejo for his altruistic help in lending some of the equipments. We also thank the Spanish Science and Technology Ministry and Junta de Andalucía for their support (projects CTM2008-04453 and RNM07274) and Seville University Glasshouse General Services for their collaboration. JM acknowledges financial support from the FPU Grant ( Ref. AP2012-1809) awarded by Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Spain. We also thank the useful comments of Editor who helped to improve the final version of the manuscript.

Peer reviewed