Four rhizobacteria selected out of over 500 isolates from rhizosphere of the vegetables in China were further studied for suppression of the root-knot nematode and soil-borne fungal pathogens in laboratory and greenho...Four rhizobacteria selected out of over 500 isolates from rhizosphere of the vegetables in China were further studied for suppression of the root-knot nematode and soil-borne fungal pathogens in laboratory and greenhouse in Belgium. They were identified as Brevibacillus brevis or Bacillus subtilis by Biolog test and partial 16s rDNA sequence comparison. They not only inhibited the radial growth of the root-infecting fungi Rhizoctonia solani SX-6, Pythium aphanidermatum ZJP-1 and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cucumerinum ZJF-2 in vitro, but also exhibited strong nematicidal activity by killing the second stage larvae of Meloidogyne javanica to varying degrees in the greenhouse. The toxic principles of bacterium B7 that showed the highest juvenile mortality were partially characterized. The active factors were heat stability and resistance to extreme pH values. B7 used either as seed dressing or soil drench significantly reduced the nematode populations in the rhizosphere and enhanced the growth of mungbean plants over the controls in the presence or absence of R. solani.展开更多
Nodular structures were formed by rhizobia on oilseed rape roots following treatment with pectinolytic bacteria. Nodules developed within 50 days.Photomicrograph of nodule cells showed that the capsulated bacteria wer...Nodular structures were formed by rhizobia on oilseed rape roots following treatment with pectinolytic bacteria. Nodules developed within 50 days.Photomicrograph of nodule cells showed that the capsulated bacteria were intrarellular.Rhizobia reisolated from the root nodules retained not only the ability of nodulation but also the characteristic of resistance to 100 μg neomycin mL-1.A low nitrogenaSe activity of the nodules was determined by the method of acetylene reduction.展开更多
Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp (cowpea) is a tropical legume of very high nutritive and economic values. A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the BNF (biological nitrogen fixation) efficiency of 4 strains of ...Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp (cowpea) is a tropical legume of very high nutritive and economic values. A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the BNF (biological nitrogen fixation) efficiency of 4 strains of Bradyrhizobium sp. (VUXYI, VUIEI, VUMDSI and VUIDI). From the results obtained these strains were classified into efficiency groups, with VUIDI being the most efficient and VUXYI the least efficient.The effect of inoculation was tested on 2 cowpea varieties in a field experiment. Remarkable increases in nodulation biomass and crop yield were observed. An increase from 58% to 81% in dry seed was obtained for the two varieties. A significance test revealed a significantly positive correlation between nodulation and biomass.展开更多
Effects of inoculation of Rhizobium suspension on nodulation and plant growth were examined withAlbizzia procera, Albizzia lebbeck and Leucaena leucocephala seedlings grown on sterilized and non-sterilizedsoil media. ...Effects of inoculation of Rhizobium suspension on nodulation and plant growth were examined withAlbizzia procera, Albizzia lebbeck and Leucaena leucocephala seedlings grown on sterilized and non-sterilizedsoil media. Inoculation resulted in nodule number increases of 28.6, 29.02 and 23.9 times in sterilized soiland 3.4, 3.6 and 3.27 times in non-sterilized soil for A. parocera A. lebbeck and L. leucocephala seedlingsrespectively. Total dry mass increased by 127.6%, 66.7% and 60.7% in sterilized soil and 100%, 95.5%and 52.65% in non-sterilized soil for these three legume trees, respectively, after a period of two months.Significalltly high inoculation responses of root length, root diameter, collar diameter, shoot length, and drymass of root, shoot, leaves and nodules were also observed in both sterilized and non-sterilized soil media ascompared to respective control treatments. The response to inoculation was strong in sterilized and modestin non-sterilized soils. The significantly higher response to Rhizobium inoculation over control in all thespecies tested suggested that application of Rhizobium greatly enhanced plant growth, nodulation, biomassproduction and nitrogen-fixing activity of the nodules.展开更多
AIM： To evaluate the frequency of the loss of the Adenomatous Polyposis Coil （APC） protein and to compare the APC status with the characteristics of colorectal adenomas. METHODS： Immunohistochemical analysis of th...AIM： To evaluate the frequency of the loss of the Adenomatous Polyposis Coil （APC） protein and to compare the APC status with the characteristics of colorectal adenomas. METHODS： Immunohistochemical analysis of the APC protein was performed on 118 adenomas and the results were compared with parameters of malignant potential, location of adenomas, macroscopic appearance and age of the patients. RESULTS： A complete loss of the APC protein was found in 28 （24%） adenomas, while 90 （76%） were APC positive. The mean size of adenomas was 13.5± 14.2 mm （95% CI 10.5-16.5） in APC-positive, and 13.8 ±15.5 mm （95% CI 7.8-19.8） in APC-negative adenomas （P = 0.364）. Statistical analysis revealed no difference between APC-positive and negative adenomas as to the histological type （P = 0.327） and grade of dysplasia （P =0.494）. We found that even advanced adenomas did not differ in their APC status from the non-advanced tumors （P = 0.414）. Finally, no difference was found when the location （P = 0.157）, macroscopic appearance （P = 0.571） and age of patients （P = 0.438） were analysed and compared between both APC positive and negative adenomas. CONCLUSION： Most adenomas expressed full-length APC protein, suggesting that protein expression is not a reliable marker for assessment of APC gene mutation. Complete loss of APC protein did not influence morphology, location, or appearance of adenomas, nor was it affected by the patient＇s age.展开更多
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defi ned by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pat...Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defi ned by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Standard therapies for inflammatory bowel disease fail to induce remission in about 30% of patients. Biological therapies have been associated with an increased incidence of infections, especially infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Thalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory agent with anti-TNF-α properties. Recent studies have suggested that thalidomide is effective in refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Thalidomide costimulates T lymphocytes, with greater effect on CD8+ than on CD4+ T cells, which contributes to the protective immune response to Mtb infection. We present a case of Crohn's disease with gastric, ileal, colon and rectum involvement as well as steroid dependency, which progressed with loss of response to infliximabafter three years of therapy. The thorax computed tomography scan demonstrated a pulmonary nodule suspected to be Mtb infection. The patient was started on thalidomide therapy and exhibited an excellent response.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii(S.boulardii) in an experimental rat model of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced colitis.METHODS:Thirty-two Wistar albino female rats were categorized ...AIM:To investigate the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii(S.boulardii) in an experimental rat model of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced colitis.METHODS:Thirty-two Wistar albino female rats were categorized into five groups.On the first day of the study,50 mg TNBS was administered via a rectal catheter in order to induce colitis in all rats,except those in the control group.For 14 d,the rats were fed a standard diet,without the administration of any additional supplements to either the control or TNBS groups,in addition to 1 mg/kg per day S.boulardii to the S.boulardii group,1 mg/kg per day methyl prednisolone(MP) to the MP group.The animals in the S.boulardii + MP group were coadministered these doses of S.boulardii and MP.During the study,weight loss,stool consistency,and the presence of obvious blood in the stool were evaluated,and the disease activity index(DAI) for colitis was recorded.The intestines were examined and colitis was macro-and microscopically scored.The serum and tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and nitric oxide(NO) were determined,and fungemia was evaluated in the blood samples.RESULTS:The mean DAI scores for the MP and S.boulardii + MP groups was significantly lower than the TNBS group(3.69 ± 0.61 vs 4.46 ± 0.34,P = 0.018 and 3.77 ± 0.73 vs 4.46 ± 0.34,P = 0.025,respectively).While no significant differences between the TNBS and the S.boulardii or MP groups could be determined in terms of serum NO levels,the level of serum NO in the S.boulardii + MP group was significantly higher than in the TNBS and S.boulardii groups(8.12 ± 4.25 μmol/L vs 3.18 ± 1.19 μmol/L,P = 0.013;8.12 ± 4.25 μmol/L vs 3.47 ± 1.66 μmol/L,P = 0.012,respectively).The tissue NO levels in the S.boulardii,MP and S.boulardii + MP groups were significantly lower than the TNBS group(16.62 ± 2.27 μmol/L vs 29.72 ± 6.10 μmol/L,P = 0.002;14.66 ± 5.18 μmol/Lvs 29.72 ± 6.10 μmol/L,P = 0.003;11.95 ± 2.34 μmol/Lvs 29.72 ± 6.10 μmol/L,P = 0.002,respectively).The tissue NO levels in the S.boulardii,MP and S.boulardii + MP groups were similar.The mean serum and tissue TNF-α levels were determined to be 12.97 ± 18.90 pg/mL and 21.75 ± 15.04 pg/mL in the control group,18.25 ± 15.44 pg/mL and 25.27 ± 11.95 pg/mL in the TNBS group,20.59 ± 16.15 pg/mL and 24.39 ± 13.06 pg/mL in the S.boulardii group,9.05 ± 5.13 pg/mL and 24.46 ± 10.85 pg/mL in the MP group,and 13.95 ± 10.17 pg/mL and 24.26 ± 10.37 pg/mL in the S.boulardii + MP group.Significant differences in terms of the levels of serum and tissue TNF-α and the macroscopic and microscopic scores were not found between the groups.S.boulardii fungemia was not observed in any of the rats.However,Candida fungemia was detected in one rat(14%) in the TNBS group,two rats(28%) in the S.boulardii group,three rats(50%) in the MP group,and three rats(42%) in S.boulardii + MP group.CONCLUSION:S.boulardii does not demonstrate considerable effects on the DAI,pathological scores,or cytokine levels but does decrease the tissue NO levels.展开更多
Gastrointestinal microbiome,containing at least 100 trillion bacteria,resides in the mucosal surface of human intestine.Recent studies show that perturbations in the microbiota may influence physiology and link to a n...Gastrointestinal microbiome,containing at least 100 trillion bacteria,resides in the mucosal surface of human intestine.Recent studies show that perturbations in the microbiota may influence physiology and link to a number of diseases,including colon tumorigenesis.Colorectal cancer(CRC),the third most common cancer,is the disease resulting from multi-genes and multi-factors,but the mechanistic details between gut microenvironment and CRC remain poorly characterized.Thanks to new technologies such as metagenome sequencing,progress in large-scale analysis of the genetic and metabolic profile of gut microbial has been possible,which has facilitated studies about microbiota composition,taxonomic alterations and host interactions.Different bacterial species and their metabolites play critical roles in the development of CRC.Also,microbiota is important in the inflammatory response and immune processes deregulation during the development and progression of CRC.This review summarizes current studies regarding the association between gastrointestinalmicrobiota and the development of CRC,which provides insights into the therapeutic strategy of CRC.展开更多
Application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria （PGPR） has been shown to increase legume growth and development under field and controlled environmental conditions. The present study was conducted to isolate pla...Application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria （PGPR） has been shown to increase legume growth and development under field and controlled environmental conditions. The present study was conducted to isolate plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria （PGPR） from the root nodules of lentil （Lens culinaris Medik.） grown in arid/semi-arid region of Punjab, Pakistan and examined their plant growth-promoting abilities. Five bacterial isolates were isolated, screened in vitro for plant growth-promoting （PGP） characteristics and their effects on the growth of lentil were assessed under in vitro, hydroponic and greenhouse （pot experiment） conditions. All the isolates were Gram negative, rod-shaped and circular in form and exhibited the plant growth-promoting attributes of phosphate solubilization and auxin （indole acetic acid, IAA） production. The IAA production capacity ranged in 0.5-11.0μg mL-1 and P solubilization ranged in 3-16 mg L-1. When tested for their effects on plant growth, the isolated strains had a stimulatory effect on growth, nodulation and nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） uptake in plants on nutrient-deficient soil. In the greenhouse pot experiment, application of PGPR significantly increased shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight by 65%, 43% and 63% and the increases in root length, fresh weight and dry weight were 74%, 54% and 92%, respectively, as compared with the uninoculated control. The relative increases in growth characteristics under in vitro and hydroponic conditions were even higher. PGPR also increased the number of pods per plant, 1 000-grain weight, dry matter yield and grain yield by 50%, 13%, 2870 and 29%, respectively, over the control. The number of nodules and nodule dry mass increased by 170% and 136%, respectively. After inoculation with effective bacterial strains, the shoot, root and seed N and P contents increased, thereby increasing both N and P uptake in plants. The root elongation showed a positive correlation （R2 = 0.67） with the IAA production and seed yield exhibited a positive correlation （R2 = 0.82） with root nodulation. These indicated that the isolated PGPR rhizobial strains can be best utilized as potential agents or biofertilizers for stimulating the growth and nutrient accumulation of lentil.展开更多
基金Project supported by the Flemish Governments of Belgium
文摘Four rhizobacteria selected out of over 500 isolates from rhizosphere of the vegetables in China were further studied for suppression of the root-knot nematode and soil-borne fungal pathogens in laboratory and greenhouse in Belgium. They were identified as Brevibacillus brevis or Bacillus subtilis by Biolog test and partial 16s rDNA sequence comparison. They not only inhibited the radial growth of the root-infecting fungi Rhizoctonia solani SX-6, Pythium aphanidermatum ZJP-1 and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cucumerinum ZJF-2 in vitro, but also exhibited strong nematicidal activity by killing the second stage larvae of Meloidogyne javanica to varying degrees in the greenhouse. The toxic principles of bacterium B7 that showed the highest juvenile mortality were partially characterized. The active factors were heat stability and resistance to extreme pH values. B7 used either as seed dressing or soil drench significantly reduced the nematode populations in the rhizosphere and enhanced the growth of mungbean plants over the controls in the presence or absence of R. solani.
文摘Nodular structures were formed by rhizobia on oilseed rape roots following treatment with pectinolytic bacteria. Nodules developed within 50 days.Photomicrograph of nodule cells showed that the capsulated bacteria were intrarellular.Rhizobia reisolated from the root nodules retained not only the ability of nodulation but also the characteristic of resistance to 100 μg neomycin mL-1.A low nitrogenaSe activity of the nodules was determined by the method of acetylene reduction.
文摘Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp (cowpea) is a tropical legume of very high nutritive and economic values. A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the BNF (biological nitrogen fixation) efficiency of 4 strains of Bradyrhizobium sp. (VUXYI, VUIEI, VUMDSI and VUIDI). From the results obtained these strains were classified into efficiency groups, with VUIDI being the most efficient and VUXYI the least efficient.The effect of inoculation was tested on 2 cowpea varieties in a field experiment. Remarkable increases in nodulation biomass and crop yield were observed. An increase from 58% to 81% in dry seed was obtained for the two varieties. A significance test revealed a significantly positive correlation between nodulation and biomass.
文摘Effects of inoculation of Rhizobium suspension on nodulation and plant growth were examined withAlbizzia procera, Albizzia lebbeck and Leucaena leucocephala seedlings grown on sterilized and non-sterilizedsoil media. Inoculation resulted in nodule number increases of 28.6, 29.02 and 23.9 times in sterilized soiland 3.4, 3.6 and 3.27 times in non-sterilized soil for A. parocera A. lebbeck and L. leucocephala seedlingsrespectively. Total dry mass increased by 127.6%, 66.7% and 60.7% in sterilized soil and 100%, 95.5%and 52.65% in non-sterilized soil for these three legume trees, respectively, after a period of two months.Significalltly high inoculation responses of root length, root diameter, collar diameter, shoot length, and drymass of root, shoot, leaves and nodules were also observed in both sterilized and non-sterilized soil media ascompared to respective control treatments. The response to inoculation was strong in sterilized and modestin non-sterilized soils. The significantly higher response to Rhizobium inoculation over control in all thespecies tested suggested that application of Rhizobium greatly enhanced plant growth, nodulation, biomassproduction and nitrogen-fixing activity of the nodules.
基金Supported by the research project MSM 0021620808
文摘AIM： To evaluate the frequency of the loss of the Adenomatous Polyposis Coil （APC） protein and to compare the APC status with the characteristics of colorectal adenomas. METHODS： Immunohistochemical analysis of the APC protein was performed on 118 adenomas and the results were compared with parameters of malignant potential, location of adenomas, macroscopic appearance and age of the patients. RESULTS： A complete loss of the APC protein was found in 28 （24%） adenomas, while 90 （76%） were APC positive. The mean size of adenomas was 13.5± 14.2 mm （95% CI 10.5-16.5） in APC-positive, and 13.8 ±15.5 mm （95% CI 7.8-19.8） in APC-negative adenomas （P = 0.364）. Statistical analysis revealed no difference between APC-positive and negative adenomas as to the histological type （P = 0.327） and grade of dysplasia （P =0.494）. We found that even advanced adenomas did not differ in their APC status from the non-advanced tumors （P = 0.414）. Finally, no difference was found when the location （P = 0.157）, macroscopic appearance （P = 0.571） and age of patients （P = 0.438） were analysed and compared between both APC positive and negative adenomas. CONCLUSION： Most adenomas expressed full-length APC protein, suggesting that protein expression is not a reliable marker for assessment of APC gene mutation. Complete loss of APC protein did not influence morphology, location, or appearance of adenomas, nor was it affected by the patient＇s age.
文摘Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defi ned by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Standard therapies for inflammatory bowel disease fail to induce remission in about 30% of patients. Biological therapies have been associated with an increased incidence of infections, especially infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Thalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory agent with anti-TNF-α properties. Recent studies have suggested that thalidomide is effective in refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Thalidomide costimulates T lymphocytes, with greater effect on CD8+ than on CD4+ T cells, which contributes to the protective immune response to Mtb infection. We present a case of Crohn's disease with gastric, ileal, colon and rectum involvement as well as steroid dependency, which progressed with loss of response to infliximabafter three years of therapy. The thorax computed tomography scan demonstrated a pulmonary nodule suspected to be Mtb infection. The patient was started on thalidomide therapy and exhibited an excellent response.
文摘AIM:To investigate the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii(S.boulardii) in an experimental rat model of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced colitis.METHODS:Thirty-two Wistar albino female rats were categorized into five groups.On the first day of the study,50 mg TNBS was administered via a rectal catheter in order to induce colitis in all rats,except those in the control group.For 14 d,the rats were fed a standard diet,without the administration of any additional supplements to either the control or TNBS groups,in addition to 1 mg/kg per day S.boulardii to the S.boulardii group,1 mg/kg per day methyl prednisolone(MP) to the MP group.The animals in the S.boulardii + MP group were coadministered these doses of S.boulardii and MP.During the study,weight loss,stool consistency,and the presence of obvious blood in the stool were evaluated,and the disease activity index(DAI) for colitis was recorded.The intestines were examined and colitis was macro-and microscopically scored.The serum and tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and nitric oxide(NO) were determined,and fungemia was evaluated in the blood samples.RESULTS:The mean DAI scores for the MP and S.boulardii + MP groups was significantly lower than the TNBS group(3.69 ± 0.61 vs 4.46 ± 0.34,P = 0.018 and 3.77 ± 0.73 vs 4.46 ± 0.34,P = 0.025,respectively).While no significant differences between the TNBS and the S.boulardii or MP groups could be determined in terms of serum NO levels,the level of serum NO in the S.boulardii + MP group was significantly higher than in the TNBS and S.boulardii groups(8.12 ± 4.25 μmol/L vs 3.18 ± 1.19 μmol/L,P = 0.013;8.12 ± 4.25 μmol/L vs 3.47 ± 1.66 μmol/L,P = 0.012,respectively).The tissue NO levels in the S.boulardii,MP and S.boulardii + MP groups were significantly lower than the TNBS group(16.62 ± 2.27 μmol/L vs 29.72 ± 6.10 μmol/L,P = 0.002;14.66 ± 5.18 μmol/Lvs 29.72 ± 6.10 μmol/L,P = 0.003;11.95 ± 2.34 μmol/Lvs 29.72 ± 6.10 μmol/L,P = 0.002,respectively).The tissue NO levels in the S.boulardii,MP and S.boulardii + MP groups were similar.The mean serum and tissue TNF-α levels were determined to be 12.97 ± 18.90 pg/mL and 21.75 ± 15.04 pg/mL in the control group,18.25 ± 15.44 pg/mL and 25.27 ± 11.95 pg/mL in the TNBS group,20.59 ± 16.15 pg/mL and 24.39 ± 13.06 pg/mL in the S.boulardii group,9.05 ± 5.13 pg/mL and 24.46 ± 10.85 pg/mL in the MP group,and 13.95 ± 10.17 pg/mL and 24.26 ± 10.37 pg/mL in the S.boulardii + MP group.Significant differences in terms of the levels of serum and tissue TNF-α and the macroscopic and microscopic scores were not found between the groups.S.boulardii fungemia was not observed in any of the rats.However,Candida fungemia was detected in one rat(14%) in the TNBS group,two rats(28%) in the S.boulardii group,three rats(50%) in the MP group,and three rats(42%) in S.boulardii + MP group.CONCLUSION:S.boulardii does not demonstrate considerable effects on the DAI,pathological scores,or cytokine levels but does decrease the tissue NO levels.
文摘Gastrointestinal microbiome,containing at least 100 trillion bacteria,resides in the mucosal surface of human intestine.Recent studies show that perturbations in the microbiota may influence physiology and link to a number of diseases,including colon tumorigenesis.Colorectal cancer(CRC),the third most common cancer,is the disease resulting from multi-genes and multi-factors,but the mechanistic details between gut microenvironment and CRC remain poorly characterized.Thanks to new technologies such as metagenome sequencing,progress in large-scale analysis of the genetic and metabolic profile of gut microbial has been possible,which has facilitated studies about microbiota composition,taxonomic alterations and host interactions.Different bacterial species and their metabolites play critical roles in the development of CRC.Also,microbiota is important in the inflammatory response and immune processes deregulation during the development and progression of CRC.This review summarizes current studies regarding the association between gastrointestinalmicrobiota and the development of CRC,which provides insights into the therapeutic strategy of CRC.
基金Supported by the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan and the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Pakistan (No. ALP NR-27)
文摘Application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria （PGPR） has been shown to increase legume growth and development under field and controlled environmental conditions. The present study was conducted to isolate plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria （PGPR） from the root nodules of lentil （Lens culinaris Medik.） grown in arid/semi-arid region of Punjab, Pakistan and examined their plant growth-promoting abilities. Five bacterial isolates were isolated, screened in vitro for plant growth-promoting （PGP） characteristics and their effects on the growth of lentil were assessed under in vitro, hydroponic and greenhouse （pot experiment） conditions. All the isolates were Gram negative, rod-shaped and circular in form and exhibited the plant growth-promoting attributes of phosphate solubilization and auxin （indole acetic acid, IAA） production. The IAA production capacity ranged in 0.5-11.0μg mL-1 and P solubilization ranged in 3-16 mg L-1. When tested for their effects on plant growth, the isolated strains had a stimulatory effect on growth, nodulation and nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） uptake in plants on nutrient-deficient soil. In the greenhouse pot experiment, application of PGPR significantly increased shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight by 65%, 43% and 63% and the increases in root length, fresh weight and dry weight were 74%, 54% and 92%, respectively, as compared with the uninoculated control. The relative increases in growth characteristics under in vitro and hydroponic conditions were even higher. PGPR also increased the number of pods per plant, 1 000-grain weight, dry matter yield and grain yield by 50%, 13%, 2870 and 29%, respectively, over the control. The number of nodules and nodule dry mass increased by 170% and 136%, respectively. After inoculation with effective bacterial strains, the shoot, root and seed N and P contents increased, thereby increasing both N and P uptake in plants. The root elongation showed a positive correlation （R2 = 0.67） with the IAA production and seed yield exhibited a positive correlation （R2 = 0.82） with root nodulation. These indicated that the isolated PGPR rhizobial strains can be best utilized as potential agents or biofertilizers for stimulating the growth and nutrient accumulation of lentil.
