EFFECT OF LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM ON GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF WHEAT IN HYDROPONICS AND SOIL

The aim was to study the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on germination and some growth characteristics of wheat Triticum aestivum L. in hydroponics and soil under greenhouse and field conditions. Materials and Methods. Strains of L. plantarum, their mixtures in a ratio 1:1 had been prepared immediately before the experiment, as well as mixed cultures of these strains which had been cultivated together for at least one week and re-inoculated every two days were used. Before grounding, seeds were inoculated with lactobacilli (in concentrations 1%, 0.1%, 0.01%, 0.001%, 0.0001%, 0.00001%) for an hour. Seed germination, length of the roots and height of the seedlings were calculated as means with standard errors or confidential intervals. Results. Treatment of wheat seeds with individual L. plantarum ONU 12, L. plantarum ONU 311, L. plantarum ONU 355 strains, their mixed cultures grown together and mixtures has increased seed germination in 6.0–40.0% depending on the conditions of germination and inoculum concentration. Under conditions of hydroponics and soil in the greenhouse the best results were shown by inoculums in concentration 103–106 CFU/ml, and under field conditions – in concentration 102 –104 CFU/ml. Mixtures and mixed cultures of L. plantarum ONU 12 + L. plantarum ONU 311 and L. plantarum ONU 12 + L. plantarum ONU 355 formed developed biofilms on roots of wheat seedlings. Mean height of seedlings increased in 8.0–41.0%, and the length of the roots increased by 2.4 times in hydroponics and in 6.8 –64.5% in soil. Conclusion. The mixtures and mixed cultures of bacteria L. plantarum ONU 12 + L. plantarum ONU 311 and L. plantarum ONU 12 + L. plantarum ONU 355 could stimulate wheat germination and growth and can be used for development of plant growth promoting bacterial preparations.