The assessment of a new bioinoculant formula composed of a cytokinin producing beneficial Methylobacterium on growth and yield of soybean

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Using plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) as natural growth enhancers in crop production has recently become a very important area of interest for modern agriculture (Tsavkelova et al., 2006). In particular, species of Methylobacterium are gaining a lot of attention, due to their unique, growth promoting characters, and extensive production of plant hormones, the cytokinins (CK) (Holland, 1994). Cytokinins are critical factors responsible for plant growth and development. CKs regulate cell divisions in all parts of a plant, but from an agricultural perspective, the most important attribute is their promotion of flowering and new seed growthwhich leads to improved yields (Sakakibara, 2006). The use of Methylobacterium species as bioinoculants has been previously reported to enhance germination, stimulate seedling growth, and increase disease resistance in plants (Duorado et al., 2015). However, the mechanisms of hormone production by plant-dwelling bacteria (methylotrophic endophytes), as well as the mode of action of any bacterially-produced CK in the host-plant are still at an early stage of R&D. Moreover, its agricultural application has yet to be investigated. This project proposes to evaluate selected Methylobacterium strains as new bio-fertilizers in field trials of soybean, and this will reveal its full potential to promote plant performance in growing conditions that are typical for soybean cultivation in Canada. Any success of the bio-inoculant will allow NutriAg Ltd. to develop a new growth promoting biological fertilizer product. In the future, Methylobacterium-based bio-fertilizer can be tested for beneficial effects on other crop plants, with the aim to develop universal and/or crop-specific product lines. Ultimately, growth promotion and plant quality improvement, as stimulated by new Methylobacterium inoculants, will create possibilities for increased revenue for Canadian farmers.