Dual Inoculation of Plant Growth-Promoting <i>Bacillus endophyticus</i> and <i>Funneliformis mosseae</i> Improves Plant Growth and Soil Properties in Ginger

Abstract

Co-inoculation with beneficial microbes has been suggested as a useful practice for the enhancement of plant growth, nutrient uptake, and soil nutrients. For the first time in Uzbekistan the role of plant-growth-promoting <i>Bacillus endophyticus</i> IGPEB 33 and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant growth, the physiological properties of ginger (<i>Zingiber officinale</i>), and soil enzymatic activities was studied. Moreover, the coinoculation of <i>B. endophyticus</i> IGPEB 33 and AMF treatment significantly increased the plant height by 81%, leaf number by 70%, leaf length by 82%, and leaf width by 40% compared to the control. <i>B. endophyticus</i> IGPEB 33 individually increased plant height significantly by 51%, leaf number by 56%, leaf length by 67%, and leaf width by 27% as compared to the control treatment. Compared to the control, <i>B. endophyticus</i> IGPEB 33 and AMF individually significantly increased chlorophyll a by 81-58%, chlorophyll b by 68-37%, total chlorophyll by 74-53%, and carotenoid content by 67-55%. However, combination of <i>B. endophyticus</i> IGPEB 33 and AMF significantly increased chlorophyll a by 86%, chlorophyll b by 72%, total chlorophyll by 82%, and carotenoid content by 83% compared to the control. Additionally, plant-growth-promoting <i>B. endophyticus</i> IGPEB 33 and AMF inoculation improved soil nutrients and soil enzyme activities compared to the all treatments. Co-inoculation with plant-growth-promoting <i>B. endophyticus</i> and AMF could be an alternative for the production of ginger that is more beneficial to soil nutrient deficiencies. We suggest that a combination of plant-growth-promoting <i>B. endophyticus</i> and AMF inoculation could be a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach in a nutrient-deficient soil.