CENTENNIAL HONORS COLLEGE
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2015
Poster Presentation
Treatment of Zea mays with Bioinoculants Containing Plant Growth Promoting
Rhizobacteria
Joshua Connor
Faculty Mentor: Sue Hum-Musser
Biology
Inoculation of legume seeds with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria have resulted in producing yields,
on average, with generally better qualities and characteristics, compared with those that are not
inoculated. Some rhizobacteria specialize in nitrogen fixation, a useful process in converting inaccessible
atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants can use. Many of the inoculants used are for legume plants and I
want to examine the effect of these treatments on non-legume crops, such as corn. Research has shown
that these interactions are mutualistic, so it would be beneficial to explore the potential benefit that
inoculants can provide amongst many species. The goal of this study is to investigate the response of Zea
mays, or corn, when treated with a legume inoculant containing nitrogen fixing bacteria or endophytic
fungi in relation to the growth and germination rate of the plant and the resistance that it displays to plant
diseases and insect pests. I will examine the ways that resistance is altered or improved based on the
expression of plant defense pathways using bioassays, real-time quantitative polymerase reaction and
enzyme assays. These assays can inform us on the induction of the various plant defense pathways when
exposed to a plant virus or insect pest. Determination of the effect of these inoculants on plant growth and
pest resistance is important in identification of natural methods of increasing plant resistance and yield
rather than with the continued use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture.