Effect of Burkholderia sp. KCTC 11096BP on some physiochemical attributes of cucumber

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has been a focus of research for its potential as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers in the agriculture industry. In current study, the effect of culture suspension (CS) of a novel gibberellins (GAs) producing bacterial strain Burkholderia sp. KCTC 11096BP, was observed on shoot length, shoot fresh and dry biomass, root fresh and dry biomass, chlorophyll contents, endogenous bioactive GAs (GA1 and GA4) and their immediate precursors, abscisic acid (ABA), soluble sugar contents and crude protein contents of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). We found that growth attributes of cucumber were significantly promoted by the application of CS of Burkholderia sp. KCTC 11096BP. The quantity of GA1 and GA4 and their immediate precursors GA20 and GA9 respectively, were also significantly promoted as compared to their respective controls. Contrary to GAs, the quantity of endogenous free ABA in cucumber leaves was much lower in bacterial CS treated plants. Soluble sugar contents and crude protein contents of cucumber leaves were also significantly higher in bacterial CS treatments as compared to control. It was concluded that Burkholderia sp. KCTC 11096BP can be used as an eco-friendly bio-fertilizer in our farming systems.