Study on the effect of integrating endophyte Bacillus subtilis GB03 and silica nanoparticles on the growth of melon crop (Cucumis melo).

Abstract

Nano silica of size 20-50 nm prepared by the sol-gel method was used to test the effect on the growth of Bacillus subtilis GB03 in in vitro bioassay and evaluate the effectiveness of integrating nano silica and B. subtilis GB03 for the growth of melon crop (Cucumis melo). The results showed that nanosilica at a concentration of 10 µg/ml had a good effect on the growth of B. subtilis GB03. In the in vivo experiment, not only the incident of silica nanoparticles adhering to the bacterial surface but also bacterial invasion and penetration on the roots were observed. Besides, the mixture of B. subtilis GB03-nano silica at 10 µg/ml also showed a good impact on the rate and speed of germination, the development of the roots, growth time, height, and branching of the melon plant. The study suggested the development of natural-derived nano silica-endophytic bacteria preparations to replace synthetic chemical pesticides used in agriculture.