Page 2 Plant-Bacteria Interactions Edited by Iqbal Ahmad, John ...

Figure 14.3 Nutrient uptake of wheat after inoculation with B. polymyxa BcP26.
of desert woody legumes (e.g. Prosopis glandulosa) grew better at 36 C than at 26 C
[118]. These rhizobial strains are physiologically distinct, suggesting that the bacteria
are highly adaptive to their respective environmental conditions. Moreover, with
greater adaptation and increasing plant growth, they also enhance nutrient uptake by
plants in arid saline soils. Our recent studies have shown that Bacillus polymyxa
BcP26 and M. phlei MbP18 significantly increased shoot growth and root length of
wheat and enhanced nitrogen uptake by 54%, phosphorus uptake by 42%, and
potassium uptake by 48% over control (Figures 14.3 and 14.4).
Increased nutrient uptake by plants inoculated with effective bacteria has been
attributed to the production of plant growth regulators by the bacteria at the root
interface, which stimulated root growth and facilitated greater absorption of water
Figure 14.4 Nutrient uptake of wheat after inoculation with M. phlei MbP18.
14.6 Plant Growth Stimulation in Arid Soilsj271