FIG 6.

Paenibacillus sp. UY79 does not affect plant growth promotion exerted by rhizobia. Evaluations of plant growth (A and B) and nodule number per plant (C and D) in response to inoculation are shown. Results of assay I are depicted in panels A and C, and results of assay II are depicted in panels B and D. Medicago sativa cv. crioula plants were grown in N-free medium. E. meliloti 242, E. meliloti 1021, and Paenibacillus sp. UY79 strains were used to inoculate alfalfa seedlings separately or as a mixture (1:1) of the rhizobium strain with Paenibacillus sp. UY79 (242+UY79 and 1021+UY79, respectively). A negative control (–) without bacteria was also included. Data from each graph were independently analyzed as described in Materials and Methods, and different letters in the same graph indicate significant differences.