Effect of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Azospirillum halopraeferens on the growth and development of two Salicornia bigelovii genotypes

Growth and development of 2 pickleweed (Salicornia bigelovii Torr.) genotypes, a local wild type and cultivar, SOS-10, were studied under field conditions. When inoculated with the previously selected and cultivated native strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Azospirillum halopraeferens, the 2 pickleweed genotypes exhibited increases in some of the growth and development parameters measured, such as weight, plant length and biochemical characteristics, including total protein, ash and total lipid content in selected plant parts. Our findings suggest that yields of both genotypes of S. bigelovii, under field conditions, can be enhanced by the application of K. pneumoniae or A. halopraeferens strains. The potential usefulness of S. bigelovii for agricultural producers in coastal semi-arid zones has been shown elsewhere; our findings suggest that the establishment and growth of this halophyte can be experimentally improved using beneficial bacteria as auxiliary biofertilisers.