Bacterial strains from floodplain soils perform different plant-growth promoting processes and enhance cowpea growth

ABSTRACT Certain nodulating nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legumes and other nodule endophytes perform different plant-growth promoting processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate 26 bacterial strains isolated from cowpea nodules grown in floodplain soils in the Brazilian savannas, regarding performance of plant-growth promoting processes and ability to enhance cowpea growth. We also identified these strains by 16S rRNA sequencing. The following processes were evaluated: free-living biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), solubilization of calcium, aluminum and iron phosphates and production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The abilities to nodulate and promote cowpea growth were evaluated in Leonard jars. Partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene identified 60 % of the strains as belonging to genus Paenibacillus. The following four genera were also identified: Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Enterobacter and Pseudomonas. None of the strains fixed N2 free-living. Among the strains, 80 % solubilized Ca phosphate and one solubilized Al phosphate and none solubilized Fe phosphate. The highest IAA concentrations (52.37, 51.52 and 51.00 μg mL−1) were obtained in the 79 medium with tryptophan by Enterobacter strains UFPI B5-7A, UFPI B5-4 and UFPI B5-6, respectively. Only eight strains nodulated cowpea, however, all increased production of total dry matter. The fact that the strains evaluated perform different biological processes to promote plant growth indicates that these strains have potential use in agricultural crops to increase production and environmental sustainability

Estirpes de Bradyrhizobium em simbiose com guandu-anão em casa de vegetação e no campo

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência simbiótica de estirpes de bactérias fixadoras de nitrogênio do gênero Bradyrhizobium com guandu-anão. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em vasos de Leonard, em vasos com solo e em campo. Foram testadas 11 estirpes em vasos de Leonard, e as que apresentaram maior eficiência em promover o crescimento do guandu-anão foram avaliadas em vasos com solo (Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo e Cambissolo) e em campo (Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo). Em todos os experimentos, os tratamentos foram comparados a dois controles positivos (estirpes aprovadas como inoculantes para as cultivares de guandu-anão BR 2003 e BR 2801) e a duas testemunhas sem inoculação, uma com alta concentração de N mineral, e a outra, a depender do experimento, sem N mineral (solo) ou com baixa concentração de N (vasos de Leonard). Algumas estirpes proporcionaram crescimento vegetal semelhante ou superior às estirpes-referência e às testemunhas em vaso de Leonard. Em vasos com solo, o tipo de solo influenciou os tratamentos. No campo, não houve diferença entre os tratamentos, e as estirpes nativas promoveram bom crescimento. O guandu-anão é capaz de estabelecer associação simbiótica com bactérias fixadoras de N2, e a estirpe UFLA 03-320 apresenta potencial para ser recomendada para a cultura junto com a estirpe BR 2801

Cowpea symbiotic efficiency, pH and aluminum tolerance in nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivation in northern and northeastern Brazil provides an excellent source of nutrients and carbohydrates for the poor and underprivileged. Production surplus leads to its consumption in other regions of Brazil and also as an export commodity. Its capacity to establish relationships with atmospheric nitrogen-fixing bacteria is crucial to the reduction of production costs and the environmental impact of nitrogen fertilizers. This study assessed the symbiotic efficiency of new strains of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria with cowpea and their tolerance to pH and aluminum. Twenty-seven strains of bacteria from different soils were evaluated under axenic conditions. These strains were compared to the following inoculant strains: INPA03-11B, UFLA03-84 and BR3267 and two controls that were not inoculated (with and without mineral nitrogen). Six strains and the three strains approved as inoculants were selected to increase the dry weight production of the aerial part (DWAP) and were tested in pots with soil that had a high-density of nitrogen-fixing native rhizobia. In this experiment, three strains (UFLA03-164, UFLA03-153, and UFLA03-154) yielded higher DWAP values. These strains grow at pH levels of 5.0, 6.0, 6.8 and at high aluminum concentration levels, reaching 10(9) CFU mL-1. In particular UFLA03-84, UFLA03-153, and UFLA03-164 tolerate up to 20 mmol c dm-3 of Al+3. Inoculation with rhizobial strains, that had been carefully selected according to their ability to nodulate and fix N2, combined with their ability to compete in soils that are acidic and contain high levels of Al, is a cheaper and more sustainable alternative that can be made available to farmers than mineral fertilizers

Biodiversity of rhizobia associated with cowpea cultivars in soils of the lower half of the São Francisco River Valley Biodiversidade de rizóbio associado a cultivares de feijão-caupi em solos do submédio do Vale do São Francisco

The biodiversity of rhizobium in soils of the São Francisco Valley is unknown and can be studied using cowpea as trap plants. The objective of this study was to verify the diversity of diazotrophic bacteria that nodulate cowpea in soils of the lower half of the São Francisco River Valley by morphological and genotypic characterization. Seven soil samples (A1, A2, A3, A4, C1, C2 and MC) were collected to capture bacteria associated to five cowpea cultivars (IPA 206, BRS Pujante, BRS Marataoã, Canapu Roxo, and Sempre Verde), in a 5x7 factorial design with three replications. Thirty days after plant emergence, the nodules were collected and the bacteria isolated and analyzed in relation to their growth characteristics in YMA medium. The 581 isolates were grouped in 49 morphologic groups. Of this total, 62.3 % formed colonies in up to three days, 33.4 % grew from the 6th day on, and 4.3 % began to grow 4 to 5 days after incubation. Regarding the formation of acids and alkalis, 63 % acidified the medium, 12 % made it alkaline and 25 % maintained the medium at neutral pH. The highest diversity was observed in the A3 sample and in isolates associated with the cultivars Canapu Roxo and BRS Pujante. Thirty-eight representative isolates were chosen for the genotypic characterization, clustered in four groups based on the restriction analysis of 16s rDNA. This grouping was strongly correlated with the sampling site; 13 rhizobium isolates had an electrophoretic profile distinct from the standard rhizobium strains used in this study.<br>A biodiversidade de rizóbio de solos do Vale do São Francisco é desconhecida e pode ser estudada utilizando feijão-caupi como planta-isca. Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a diversidade de bactérias diazotróficas que nodulam feijão-caupi em solos do Submédio do Vale do São Francisco por meio da caracterização morfológica e genotípica. Sete amostras de solos (A1, A2, A3, A4, C1, C2 e MC) foram coletadas para a captura de bactérias, utilizando cinco cultivares de feijão-caupi (IPA 206, BRS Pujante, BRS Marataoã, Canapu Roxo e Sempre Verde), perfazendo um fatorial 5 x 7 com três repetições. Aos 30 dias após a emergência das plantas, os nódulos foram coletados e as bactérias isoladas e analisadas quanto às características culturais em meio YMA. Foram obtidos 581 isolados, que se agruparam em 49 grupos morfológicos. Desse total, 62,3 % formaram colônias em até três dias, 33,4 % cresceram a partir do sexto dia e 4,3 % cresceram entre quatro e cinco dias após a incubação. Quanto à formação de ácido e álcalis, 63 % acidificaram o meio de cultura, 12 % alcalinizaram e 25 % mantiveram o pH do meio neutro. As maiores diversidades foram encontradas nas amostras A3 e nos isolados associados às cultivares Canapu Roxo e BRS Pujante. Escolheram-se 38 isolados representativos para a caracterização genotípica, em que foram obtidos quatro grupos a partir da análise de restrição do 16s rDNA. Este agrupamento teve forte correlação com o local de origem dos isolados, mostrando 13 deles com perfil eletroforético distinto das estirpespadrão de rizóbios utilizadas no estudo

Educação básica no Brasil na década de 1990: subordinação ativa e consentida à lógica do mercado Basic education in Brazil in the 1990s: an active and consented subordination to the logic of the market

Este trabalho, apoiado no esforço de análises de pesquisadores e intelectuais que não declinaram do pensamento utópico e, portanto, do esforço de produção de um pensamento crítico a todas as formas de colonialismo, discute a política de educação básica nos dois mandatos do Governo Fernando Henrique Cardoso. A conclusão a que chegamos é a de que a "era FHC" neste particular, também, foi um retrocesso tanto no plano institucional e organizativo quanto, e particularmente, no âmbito pedagógico. Esta conclusão se fundamenta, primeiramente, na análise do tipo de projeto social mais amplo e do projeto educativo a ele articulado, ambos associados de forma ativa, consentida e subordinada aos organismos internacionais. No plano mais específico fundamenta-se na relevância da educação básica à luz das questões mais gerais postas à educação por um mundo em transformação e às políticas educacionais em relação à Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional e ao Conselho Nacional de Educação, ao Plano Nacional de Educação, ao ensino fundamental e aos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais e à reforma do ensino médio e técnico.<br>Based on the analyses of researchers and intellectuals who have not abandoned the utopian thinking, that is, on thoughts that criticize any form of colonialism, this paper discusses the basic education policy under the Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC) administration (1995-2002). Its conclusions are that the "FHC era" also meant a retrogression both at an institutional and organizational level, and more particularly as for the pedagogical sphere. This conclusion is primarily grounded on an analysis of the broader social project and of the educational project it implied, both associated in an active, consented and subordinate manner with international agencies. More specifically, it is based on the relevance of basic education in the light of more general issues posed to education by a changing world and educational policies concerning the Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional (Brazilian Education Basic Tenets Law) and the National Educational Council, the National Educational Plan, the 8-year compulsory schooling, the National Curriculum Guidelines and the reform of senior high and vocational schools