Authors:

Salomon Caro Castillo

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About Paper:

As the human population grows and natural resources become scarce, improving crop production is imperative. Traditional agriculture relies on chemical fertilizers and faces vulnerabilities due to climate change. Alternative methods, like hydroponics, and the role of microbial communities in plant development offer promising possibilities. However, microbiomes in hydroponic systems are prone to instability due to nutrient solution circulation. This study aims to determine how inoculation strategies influence biological stability and plant growth in a hydroponic system using Kratky jars. Conditions evaluated include basil grown with nanopure water, a monoculture of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) Pseudomonas putida, and inoculation with biofilm from another basil hydroponic system. Flow cytometry and DNA quantification were used to track microbial community changes, with planned sequencing for community composition analysis. Biofilm thickness was assessed using microscopy to detail bacterial colonization. Results showed that neither the bacterial monoculture nor the inoculated biofilm significantly affected plant height and span. However, root mass was larger in plants inoculated with the monoculture and biofilm compared to those grown in nanopure water, suggesting that Pseudomonas putida and the biofilm may enhance root growth and plant health. The decrease in cell concentration after monoculture inoculation indicates that these effects may be independent of biological stability, implying a strong initial inoculation impact regardless of microbial productivity. These findings enhance the understanding of microbial colonization in hydroponic systems and their effects on plant growth, which is crucial for managing bacterial proliferation and promoting sustainable crop production. Keywords: Microbial Communities; Hydroponics; Flow Cytometry; DNA quantification; Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB)

Source:

Purdue University / 2024

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Co-authors:

Salomon Caro Castillo