Laponite® nanoclay gel based microenvironment for plant probiotic rhizobacterial delivery

The current study reports the development of nanoclay based delivery system for the encapsulation of for plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Five strains of Pseudomonas spp. were selected for the study. They were encapsulated in laponite gel beads and used to treat Vigna unguiculata seedlings. The growth parameters of the treated plants were studied. The treated plants showed significant improvement in leaf length, leaf number, and shoot length than the control plants. The viability studies ascertained the stable condition of the rhizobacteria within the laponite beads up to 60 days after entrapment. Soil analysis of laponite-consortium treated samples showed enhancement in organic carbon levels (2.83%) when compared to the untreated plants (1.55%). In addition, enhanced photosynthetic and nutrient solubilising potential was observed in the treated seedlings. The promising results of the study indicate the potential of laponite mediated system for efficient delivery of plant probiotics by enhancing its stability when compared to other available methods.

Automated summary

The study developed a nanoclay based delivery system for encapsulating plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, showing significant improvement in growth parameters of treated plants and stable conditions of the rhizobacteria within the laponite beads for up to 60 days. This indicates the potential of laponite mediated system for efficient delivery of plant probiotics.