The Growth-Promoting Ability of Serratia liquefaciens UNJFSC 002, a Rhizobacterium Involved in Potato Production

Alvarado C.A.; Durand Z.H.; Rodriguez-Grados P.M.; Tineo D.L.; Takei D.H.; Arbizu C.I.; Contreras-Liza S. · International Journal of Plant Biology (2025) · DOI: 10.3390/ijpb16030082

Resumen

Several strains of the genus Serratia isolated from the rhizosphere of crops are plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) that may possess various traits associated with nitrogen metabolism, auxin production, and other characteristics. The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of the growth-promoting activity of S. liquefaciens UNJFSC 002 in potato plants. This strain was inoculated into potato varieties (Solanum tuberosum) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions to determine the bacterial strain’s ability to promote growth under controlled conditions. It was found that the S. liquefaciens strain UNJFSC 002 had a significantly greater effect on the fresh and dry weight of the foliage and induced a higher tuber weight per plant and larger tuber diameter compared to the uninoculated potato plants (p < 0.05). Additionally, in vitro, the strain demonstrated the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), as well as the capacity to solubilise tricalcium phosphate in the laboratory. This research reveals the potential of S. liquefaciens UNJFSC 002 as an inoculant to improve potato production, demonstrating its ability to promote the growth and productivity of potato varieties suitable for direct consumption and processing under controlled conditions.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas; Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión