Response of Cucumber Seedlings Fertilized with Fish Effluent to Azospirillum brasilense

• Published in: International journal of vegetable science Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 129 - 140
• Main Authors: Mangmang, Jonathan S., Deaker, Rosalind, Rogers, Gordon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 03-03-2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aquaculture; aquaculture wastewater; Aquaponics; Cucumis sativus; Effluents; PGPR; recycling; vegetable
• ISSN: 1931-5260; 1931-5279
• DOI: 10.1080/19315260.2014.967433

An emphasis on reducing use of agrochemicals and recycling organic waste to alleviate pollution and nutrient discharge to the environment has prompted exploration of beneficial microbes and aquaculture wastewater in agriculture production. A study was conducted to investigate effects of strains Sp7, Sp7-S, and Sp245 of Azospirillum brasilense on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings fertilized with fish effluent. Cucumber seed were inoculated prior to germination and transplanting. Seedlings were grown in a greenhouse with natural light. Inoculated seedlings produced longer roots, greater root biomass, and higher total phosphorus, endogenous plant indole-3-acetic acid, and peroxidase activities. Inoculation caused small changes in the fish effluent bacterial community, indicating that these strains can be integrated into a production system utilizing fish effluent as a fertilizer. A. brasilense could be a valuable agent to help maximize the usefulness of aquaculture wastewater to support plant growth.