SRA

The aim of this study was to compare the growth of Mentha aquatica var. aquatica (MAA) and M. aquatica var. litoralis (MAL) as well as the structure of the rhizosphere microbial community after the 47-day greenhouse hydroponic experiment in the presence of two added bacterial consortia of different origin and composition (M1 and M2). The structure of the bacterial communities attached to expanded clay pellets at the phylum level was represented mostly by Proteobacteria (from 69.50% in [MAL] to 92.59% in [MAA]). Other phyla, which appeared above 1%, were as follows: Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobia). Bioaugmentation provided significant (p<0.05) stimulation for the growth of MAL after 47 days of vegetation. The fluorescein diacetate hydrolysise activity of the biofilm showed a marked increase at the beginning of the experiment followed by a considerable decrease up to day 47 day the experiment.