Growth stimulation of perennial ryegrass by plant growth promoting bacteria under limited nutritional conditions

Abstract

Although there are many studies on plant growth promotion carried out using bacteria on various crops, there is scarce information on the effects of PGPR on the growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivated in Colombian high tropics. Ryegrass is one of the most widely cultivated grass in Colombia, and it used as a nutritional source for livestock in intensive dual purpose, milk and meat production systems [1]. Several factors affect pasture degradation, including the following: (i) low planting density before grass initiated, (ii) forage species unsuitable for local conditions, and especially (iii) decrease in soil fertility due to inadequate use of fertilizers [2]. Therefore, the maintenance of pasture growth becomes a pivotal challenge to the sustainable management of Colombian tropical soils under livestock production.