Characterization of Associative Diazotrophic Bacteria in Torch Ginger

Associative diazotrophic bacteria perform several processes that promote increased plant development and production, allowing a reduction in the use of agricultural inputs and costs. However, for some species, such as torch ginger, there are still no reports of studies aimed at identifying diazotrophic bacteria associated with this species. On this basis, this study proposes to isolate and characterize associative diazotrophic bacteria in rhizospheric soils and roots of torch ginger as well as analyze the potential of these isolates in solubilizing phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and producing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Soil and roots samples of torch ginger were inoculated into five different semi-solid and semi-selective culture media, namely, NFb, JNFb, LGI, JMV and FAM, where bacterial growth was diagnosed by the formation of a characteristic film on the surface of the media. Subsequently, the bacterial isolates were analyzed for their ability to solubilize P and K in liquid medium, using phosphate rock powder (AO-15) and potassium rock powder (phonolite) as sources of P and K, respectively. All culture media showed bacterial growth, making this the first report of isolation of diazotrophic bacterial strains in this species. Eight of the obtained strains originated from rhizospheric soils and four from roots of torch ginger. Of these, 10 solubilized P, with the UNIFENAS 100-340, UNIFENAS 100-342 and UNIFENAS 100-348 strains standing out. Six strains showed K solubilizing ability, UNIFENAS 100-346 being the most efficient. All strains were able to produce the IAA phytohormone, both in the presence and absence of tryptophan, with superior results obtained by UNIFENAS 100-344 and UNIFENAS 100-351.