Legume Research
Web of Science
  • Year: 2025
  • Volume: 48
  • Issue: 7

Co-inoculant Response of Microbial Consortia on Physiology of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] Seed Germination

  • Author:
  • S. Monisha1,*, P.R. Renganayaki1, S. Sundareswaran1, S. Nakkeeran2, S. Varanavasiappan3
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 1154 to 1159

1Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India

2Agricultural College and Research Institute, Kudumiyamalai-622 203, Tamil Nadu, India

3Department of Plant Biotechnology, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India

*Corresponding Author: S. Monisha, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India, Email: sakimonisha@gmail.com

Online Published on 30 March, 2026.

Abstract

Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] belonging to the Leguminoceae family is rich in protein. In this crop, biological seed treatment is an environmentally sound approach for improving the vigour of seeds. Besides legume-Rhizobium symbiosis, several other beneficial microbes play a crucial role in vigour enhancement in blackgram.

The surface sterilised seeds were first coated with 20% gum acacia followed by the coating with bioinoculants viz., T0 - Control (Dry seed), T1 - Rhizobium sp. BMBS + Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) + Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 and T2 - Rhizobium sp. BMBS + AMF + Bacillus velezensis.

Inoculation of blackgram seeds with the Rhizobium sp. BMBS and AMF with Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 resulted in a significant increase in germination (97%), dry matter production (0.237 g 10 seedlings-1), vigour index (22.99) and seed mobilization efficiency (1.11) as compared to control seeds. The biochemical parameters such as á-amylase and proteases were found to be significantly higher in the Rhizobium sp. BMBS + AMF + Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 inoculated seeds. Changes in root exudates composition due to co-inoculation assessed through GC-MS, indicated compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Our results confirmed that the positive interaction of rhizobial strain BMBS and AMF with Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 may emerge as a novel bio-inoculant for sustainable pulse productivity.

Keywords

Blackgram, Co-inoculation, Film coating, GCMS, Seed germination, Vigour