Phormidium sp. Improves Growth, Auxin Content and Nutritional Value of Wild Barley (Hordeum spantaneum L.)

Cyanobacteria are oxygenic, photosyn-thetic prokaryotes with unique potential to enhance plant growth, development, and productivity. These microorganisms have the ability to stimulate plant growth by producing growth-inducing phytohormones and increas-ing the solubility of soil nutrients. In the pres-ent study, the plant growth promoting poten-tial of Phormidium sp. on the growth indices of wild barley seedlings was evaluated. In this regard, Phormidium sp. is a filamentous and non-heterocystous cyanobacterium. Indeed, filaments are unbranched and usually in fine, smooth, layered microscopic or macroscop-ic mats. The results showed that dry weight and length of root and shoot, the content of nitrogen (2%), potassium (2%), and auxin (8%) phytohormone of wild barley seedlings treated with Phormidium sp. had a signifi-cant increase compared to the control group. Accordingly, the use of Phormidium sp. as a plant growth-promoting cyanobacteria seems promising alternative to chemical fertilizers.