Effect of plant growth promoting bacteria (Medicago sativa L.) in two types of soil, copper, and compost

Abstract

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria interact with different treatments or metals present in soils enriched with compost that improve soil conditions and benefit plant growth. The objective was to analyze the development of Medicago sativa with rhizobacteria under stress conditions. Alfalfa seeds of two varieties (Victoria and Aragón) were germinated, inoculated with two rhizobacteria, and transplanted in a greenhouse, copper sulfate added, compost, in two types of soil (irrigated with wastewater and well water). The residual soil presented significance in the number of leaves and height of the plant, the Victoria variety in the number of leaves, the M40 strain in stem diameter, and the compost with 37 g in root length. The use of root-associated rhizobacteria in combination with compost and heavy metals allows developing technologies with benefits for Medicago sativa.