“ASURE”: A multi-potential plant bioassay as a pre-determinative microbial efficiency testing tool for bioinoculant studies

Bioinoculant studies focusing on plant-microbe association hold immense importance for research in field of agriculture and plant science. Such plant-microbe associations are amongst the most complex and beneficial partnerships in nature. Research focused to explore favourable host-microbe relationship requires a contamination free, non-interceptive and easily manageable system where these interactions can be studied in real-time. Also a provision for efficient sample recovery to support a variety of analyses would be a definite advantage. The manuscript proposes a new multi-potential plant bioassay abbreviated “ASURE” inspired by hydroponics. ASURE is a robust system, providing a workable solution to challenges faced during in-vitro microcosm studies. Significance of this system is its plant growth supporting design, facilitating comparative assessment of PGPM treatment benefits to host plant while providing a closer real-time view of plant microbe association. • ASURE serves as a testing tool to pre-determine the efficiency of various plant friendly microbes to develop them as future bioinoculants. • ASURE accommodates 16 individual samples in a 12 × 12 cm space, ensures homogenous micro environment and facilitates continuous and undisturbed (real-time) monitoring of root and shoot growth. • ASURE enables efficient sample recovery with zero loss during harvesting and no interception from substrate.