Discipline of Plant Pathology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Discipline of Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Yobo, K.S., Discipline of Plant Pathology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Laing, M.D., Discipline of Plant Pathology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Hunter, C.H., Discipline of Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
A shadehouse pot trial was conducted to study the efficiency of single and dual inoculations with selected Trichoderma and Bacillus isolates on performance of dry bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in composted pine bark (CPB) potting medium. All the plant treatments inoculated with Trichoderma spp. and/or Bacillus spp. had higher photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm values). Of the treatments, only B. subtilis B69 showed a significant increase (P = 0.02) in Fv/Fm values over the growth period. The Trichoderma and Bacillus treated plants showed increase in dry shoot biomass. The greatest degree of nodulation was observed in Trichoderma and/or Bacillus treated plants. Increase in nitrogen concentrations were observed in leaves of plants inoculated with Trichoderma and Bacillus isolates. Only T. atroviride SY3A significantly increased phosphorus concentrations in leaves. These results depict and highlight the role these organisms can play in plant root-plant growth promoting rhizobacteria or plant growth promoting fungi (PGPR/PGPF) interaction in a nutrient-poor growth medium. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.