Article

Bountiful Bacillus and Vivacious VAM

by Dr Ash Martin  PhD BSc(For)Hons

Many species of Bacillus occurring in soil are known to promote plant growth by solubilising phosphate, producing phytohormones and protecting plants against stresses. Bacillus can also work synergistically with mycorrhizal fungi (a.k.a. VAM) to promote plant growth through enhanced nutrient uptake, protection against plant pathogens and alleviation of abiotic stresses (water, salinity and heavy metals). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic association with most of the cultivated crop plants and they help plants in phosphorus nutrition and protecting them against biotic and abiotic stresses. In the case of plant phosphorus uptake enhanced by the synergistic relationship between Bacillus and VAM, phosphate solubilised by Bacillus is taken up by VAM and transported into plant roots. The two microbes working together can also reduce plant stress through different, but complimentary, mechanisms working in tandem.

Count Wise Pro includes Bacillus counts, along with Total Bacteria, Total Fungi, Actinomycetes, Trichoderma, Fungi to Bacteria CFU Ratio and Microbial Diversity by CFU.  VAM Wise for Plants and VAM Wise for Soil can both be used to measure the amount of VAM colonising plant roots, or the number of VAM spores in the soil.

Click here for more information about Count Wise Pro.

Click here for more information about VAM Wise for Plants (Annuals)Click here for more information about VAM Wise for Plants (Perennials).  Click here for more information about VAM Wise for Soil.

Click below to read the in-depth article:

Nanjundappa et al. (2019).  Interaction between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Bacillus spp. in soil enhancing growth of crop plants.  Fungal Biology and Biotechnology. 6:23.

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