Plant growth promoting traits of Bacillus species associated with quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)

Authors: Testen, Anna; MAGNUS, MAYRA - Foundation Proinpa; BACKMAN, PAUL - Pennsylvania State University

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/11/2022
Publication Date: 2/14/2022
Citation: Testen, A.L., Magnus, M.C., Backman, P.A. 2022. Plant growth promoting traits of Bacillus species associated with quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and lambsquarters (Chenopodium album). Plant Health Progress. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-09-21-0121-RS.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-09-21-0121-RS

Interpretive Summary: Quinoa is an emerging crop of global importance and methods are needed to reduce impacts from diseases and environmental conditions. Beneficial bacteria can be used to address these constraints in quinoa production and Bacillus species are very promising bacteria for promoting plant growth and reducing disease. Bacillus species were isolated from quinoa from Ecuador and Bolivia and from the quinoa-relative lambsquarters in Pennsylvania. These Bacillus were tested for traits related to plant growth promotion and disease biological control. Many Bacillus exhibited multiple beneficial traits and these isolates can be studied further to promote quinoa production.

Technical Abstract: As quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) production expands globally, methods to mitigate abiotic and biotic production constraints are needed. One potential method to improve quinoa productivity is the through the use of plant growth promoting microbes. In this study, we examined Chenopodium-associated Bacillus populations from Bolivia, Ecuador and the United States of America for their ability to solubilize phosphate, antagonize Fusarium oxysporum, and to produce phytase, indole acetic acid (IAA), and chitinase. The majority (99%) of isolates screened (N=496) exhibited one or more traits related to plant growth promotion. Phosphate solubilization was observed in 75%, phytase production in 89%, IAA production in 44%, chitinase production in 13% and antagonism to F. oxysporum in 8% of screened isolates. Some species or species groups screened were more likely than others to exhibit certain traits, such as B. megaterium, B. pumilus group and B. subtilis group for phosphate solubilization or B. cereus group for chitinase production. This study indicates that many Chenopodium-associated isolates exhibit plant growth promoting traits and could be studied further to promote quinoa production.