Biofortification of Iron in Chickpea by Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Iron deficiency is a major nutritional disorder being responsible to affect millions of people around the globe. Its
malnutrition may be reduced through biofortification: a process to produce micronutrient enriched staple food. Plant growth
promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can fortify iron content within edible plant tissues by enhancing its availability through
various mechanisms. In a pot study, five bacterial isolates (S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5) were tested for improving plant growth and
bioavailable iron (Fe) content in chickpea where Fe was applied in the form of iron sulphate solution. Results showed that
inoculation with PGPR significantly enhanced the plant height, root length, root fresh and dry weights, shoot fresh and dry
weights and Fe content compared to un-inoculated control plants. Application of FeSO4 significantly improved the Fe
content upto 100 and 173% in grain and shoot respectively, as compared to control. Application of PGPR along with iron
showed 81 and 75% increase in grain and shoot iron contents, respectively, over control. These results suggested that PGPR
can help plants to uptake extra Fe from soil, if soil is supplemented with additional Fe. These findings advocate that
microbial assisted biofortification in grain can alleviate micronutrient deficiency in humans especially in resource limited
countries.
Source: Pakistan Journal of Botany
Institution: University of Agriculture Faisalabad
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2556158000