EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA (PGPR) APPLICATION ON LIGNOCELLULOSIC CROPS YIELD FOR ADVANCED BIOFUELS

rhizosphere and play important functions for plant nutrition. In addition, PGPR can also enhance tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress factors, thereby increasing the overall productivity and crop yields. The use of PGPR as a biofertilizer has become a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers, as it is more sustainable in the long term. The strain Bacillus haynesii WVC18 (patent N° 102023000006816) was selected based on previous in vitro and in vivo assays. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the yields of five dedicated lignocellulosic crops under two different PGPR application methods compared to an untreated control, to provide sustainable and low-cost feedstock solutions. Small pots were prepared with agricultural soil and placed in a growth chamber under controlled environmental conditions. Biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), and abyssinian cabbage (Brassica carinata A. Braun) were grown by following three different PGPR treatments: i) untreated (control); ii) B. haynesii WVC18 seed coating; iii) B. haynesii WVC18 applications at rhizosphere level. Pearl millet above and belowground fresh biomass under T1 was increased by 55 and 93 % respectively, compared with T0. In the light of field scale application, the PGPR application through seed coating is cost effective compared with multiple irrigation application.