Co-inoculation of Pseudomonas spp. with Rhizobium improves growth and symbiotic performance of fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.)

The effect of Rhizobium galegae alone and in combination with root colonising Pseudomonas strains on the growth of fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) was studied under greenhouse conditions in potting soil containing low levels of nitrogen. Eight weeks after sowing combined inoculations of fodder galega with R. galegae bv. orientalis HAMBI 540 and Pseudomonas trivialis 3Re27 or Pseudomonas extremorientalis TSAU20 had increased shoot and root dry matter, as compared with inoculation with R. galegae HAMBI 540 alone. Both Pseudomonas strains produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in culture but R. galegae did not. While the cellulase producing strain P. trivialis 3Re27 was able to significantly increase nodule numbers and nitrogen content of the co-inoculated plants, the cellulase-negative P. extremorientalis TSAU20 showed no significant stimulation of nodule numbers and nitrogen content in roots. We conclude that P. trivialis 3Re27 improve rhizobia–legume interactions, acting as “rhizobium helper bacteria”. The production of IAA and/or cellulase by Pseudomonas strains may contribute to such a positive effect.