Mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var.
Paiyur 1) seeds were surface-sterilized by immersing them in 0.1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 min and then washing them three times with distilled water.
A 15 mm depth of soil was removed from the earthen
pots and six seeds were placed at equal distances.
Previously prepared 1 mL samples of each inoculant were uniformly applied on seeds as single and coinoculation;
seeds were then covered with a uniform 15 mm thick layer of soil. Control plants received 1 mL
of diluted nutrient solution with no bacteria.
Pots were watered daily to maintain soil field capacity during thestudy period.
After 1 wk of germination, plants were thinned out and three plants per plot were left.
Effects of promoting bacterial growth treatments were assessed by measuring main shoot and root length, shoot and
root weight, and P uptake of mung bean plants 8 wk after planting. Root and shoot portions of plants were separated and air-dried before being kept in an oven at 70 °C to constant weight.
Shoot and root dry weights were recorded separately and the mean weight of three plants was expressed as g plant-1. Plant samples were finely ground after drying and employed to determine