Laponite® Nanoclay Gel Based Microenvironment for Plant Probiotic Rhizobacterial Delivery

Abstract The current study reports the development of nanoclay based delivery system encapsulating plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Five strains of Pseudomonas spp. selected for the study. They were encapsulated in laponite gel beads and used to treat Vigna unguiculata seedlings. The biometric parameters of the treated plants were studied. The treated plants showed significant improvements in leaf length, leaf number, and shoot length than the control plants. The viability studies ascertained the physiologically stable condition of the rhizobacteria within the laponite beads upto 60 days after entrapment. Soil analysis of laponite-consortium treated samples showed enhancement in organic carbon levels (2.83%) when compared to the untreated plants (1.55%). In addition, enhanced photosynthetic and nutrient solubilising potential was observed in the treated seedlings. The promising results of the study indicates the potential of laponite mediated system for efficient delivery of plant probiotics by enhancing its stability when compared to other available methods.