Inoculation with Bacillus licheniformis MH48 Promotes Nutrient Uptake in Seedlings of the Ornamental Plant Camellia japonica grown in Korean Reclaimed Coastal Lands

The objective of this study was to determine whether inoculationwith Bacillus licheniformisMH48 as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) could promote nutrient uptake of seedlings of the ornamental plant Camellia japonicain the Saemangeum reclaimedcoastal land in Korea. B. licheniformis MH48 inoculationincreased total nitrogen and phosphorus content in soils by 2.2 and 20.0 fold, respectively, compared to those without bacterial inoculation. In addition, B. licheniformis MH48 produced auxin, which promoted the formation of lateral rootsand root hairs, decreased production of growth-inhibiting ethylene, and alleviated salt stress. Total nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of seedlings subjected to bacterial inoculationwas 2.3 and 3.6 fold higher, respectively, than the control. However, B. licheniformis MH48 inoculationhad no significant effect on the growth of seedlings. Our results suggest that inoculationwith B. licheniformis MH48 can be used as a PGPR bio - enhancer to stimulate fine root development, promote nutrient uptake and alleviate salt stress in ornamental plantseedlings grown in the high-salinity conditions of reclaimedcoastal land.