Non-Rhizobial Nodule Endophytes Improve Nodulation, Change Root Exudation Pattern and Promote the Growth of Lentil for Prospective Application in Fallow Soil

The study explored the impact of non-rhizobial endophytes (NREs), specifically Serratia plymuthica 33GS and Serratia sp. R6, on lentil growth and soil quality in rice fallow soil. The NREs were found to significantly enhance plant growth parameters such as germination rate, vigour index, nodule development, fresh weight of nodules, shoot length, and chlorophyll levels. They also altered root exudation patterns, increasing the exudation of certain compounds and modifying the rhizospheric microbial community structure to increase the relative abundance of beneficial microbes. The study concluded that NREs can act as plant growth promoters and have potential for sustainable agriculture, particularly in improving crop yields in fallow soils. However, the document does not specify the number of plants or replicates used in the greenhouse trials, which is important for assessing the strength of the study.