Abstract

Background and Objectives

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) may reduce the negative effects of salinity stress. The aim of this study was to optimize RTS1 and characterize the effect of the PGPB on the physiological characteristics of tomato ().

Materials and Methods

The Central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize RTS1 to produce maximum cell biomass and spores. Then the effect of the PGPB on the physiological characteristics of tomato (), including membrane stability, leaf relative water content percentage, anthocyanin and carotenoids content, chlorophyll photosynthetic parameters, sugar and starch level, superoxide anion and antioxidant activity under salt stress conditions. The NFB medium was inoculated with 5% bacterial culture and the fermentation was carried out in a 10-lit fermenter.

Results

After optimization, the amount of cell biomass by the model was 9.45 log10 CFUs/mL, which showed a 1.2-fold increase compared to the non-optimized medium. Usage of bacteria under the optimal conditions of the culture medium may increase the stability of the membrane and improve the relative water content. Bacteria were able to prevent the excessive increase of anthocyanins. Oxidative stress led to an increase in the content of chlorophyll a, while causing the degradation of chlorophyll b. Bacterial inoculation led to an increase in the level of sugar and starch compared to the control. PGPB showed an increasing effect on the amount of superoxide anion production and caused a significant increase in the antioxidant activity under salinity stress conditions.

Conclusion

The PGPB can be a promising way to boost physiological characteristics of tomato plant under salinity stress. Also, sporulation capacity of with high bacterial cell density in fermenter produce a sustainable product for tomato plants.

MeSH

Bacteria, Starch, Antioxidants, Stress, Physiological, Membranes, Cells, Anthocyanins, Superoxides, Biomass, Chlorophyll, Salt Stress