BACTERIALLY-INDUCED GROWTH PROMOTION OF MICROPROPAGATED GINGER

This study evaluated a range of bacteria for their potential to promote growth and improve resistance to Foz in micropropagated ginger plants. Trials were established under greenhouse conditions using minimal levels of synthetic fertilisers. B. subtilis DAR26659 significantly improved growth of ginger tissue culture plants, where rhizome fresh weight, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight were increased by 60.4%, 53.6%, and 49.1% respectively compared to control treatments. Inconsistent infection of plants by Foz (under low levels of inoculum tested) limited evaluation of biocontrol activity of bacteria. This report demonstrates the potential of beneficial bacteria to improve the growth of micropropagated ginger using reduced fertiliser inputs with the aim to improve farm productivity.