Single colonies of each strain were transferred to 500 mL flasks containing nutrient broth; colonies were then grown
aerobically in flasks on a rotating shaker (150 rpm) for 48 h at 30 °C.
The bacterial suspension was then diluted in sterile distilled water to a final concentration of 108 CFU mL-1 and resulting suspensions were used to treat mung bean seeds.
Surface sterilized seeds were soaked in separate bacterial suspensions approximately 30 min prior to planting.
For dual inoculation, an equal volume (108 CFU mL-1 of each inoculant) of two cultures were mixed and then employed to treat mung bean seeds (the same as for single inoculation).