Seed treatment with Integral at 2.2×108 and 2.2×109 cfu/mL significantly increased seedling germination compared to the control at 7 d after seeding (Fig. 1). The highest rate of germination (95.6%) was obtained with a concentration of 2.2×109 cfu/mL. Seed treatment with carbendazim gave 90.8% seedling germination. The germination rate in the control was 88.0%. Root
lengths of 25-day-old seedlings were significantly greater in seed treatment with Integral at 2.2×109 cfu/mL (12.2 cm) and 2.2×108 cfu/mL (9.0 cm) over the control (7.9 cm). Shoot length was the highest (40.7 cm) with Integral at 2.2×109 cfu/mL. The shoot