Biofortification of iron in Gargen pea using siderophore producing bacteria

Abstract

Iron deficiency poses a significant challenge to both agriculture and human nutrition, impacting billions of people globally and restricting crop productivity. In calcareous and alkaline soils, iron predominantly exists in an oxidized, insoluble state, making it inaccessible for plant uptake. Garden pea (Pisum sativum L.), a nutritionally valuable legume rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, often lacks sufficient iron to meet dietary requirements. Biofortification through microbial interventions has emerged as an effective strategy to improve the micronutrient content of essential crops. This study examines the potential of siderophore-producing bacteria in increasing iron bioavailability and accumulation in garden pea. A bacterial strain identified as Serratia marcescens C1 (Accession No. MZ128660) was evaluated for siderophore production and additional plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties, including indole acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, phosphate solubilization, and zinc mobilization. Seeds inoculated with this bacterial strain exhibited significantly improved germination rates, enhanced seedling vigor, increased vegetative growth, and greater iron accumulation in plant tissues, as confirmed through Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Furthermore, treated plants demonstrated higher yields compared to the control group. These findings highlight the effectiveness of S. marcescens C1 as a bioinoculant for iron biofortification, supporting its application in sustainable agriculture. Its integration into crop management practices offers a viable solution to address nutritional deficiencies while promoting better plant health and productivity