Evaluation of growth stimulator producing Halo-tolerant bacteria for improved plant growth
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Date
2019
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UMT Lahore
Abstract
Widespread use of chemical fertilizers has adverse impact on soil fertility, another option we have is the bio-fertilizers, and potentials of bio fertilizers would perform a fundamental role in growth and development of plant and also enhance the fertility of the soil. The main aim of our study is the isolation of plant growth promoting halo-tolerant bacteria from high saline area of Pakistan and then performing different screening tests of the isolated bacterial strains for the detection of plant growth stimulator. Bacteria were isolated by making serial dilutions of 10–2, 10–4 and 10–6 of the rhizoshperic soil. L-agar plate supplemented with 1%, 2% and 3% of NaCl, 50µl from each dilution was spread on it at 37 °C for 24 hours. Halo-tolerant bacterial strains were selected on the basis of their morphology. Different biochemical tests were performed for all the bacterial isolates. Citrate test was positive for S-AB 1 and S-AB 2(b). Indole test and methyl-red test was positive only for S-AB 1. Similarly, Voges Proskauer test was positive only for S-AB 1. All the bacterial isolates were able to produce auxin but high auxin production was observed in S-AB 2 (a) followed by S-AB 1, S-AB 2 (b) and then S-AB 3. It can be concluded that halo-tolerant bacterial strains isolated from high saline area were proficient in producing auxin and this quality can be use for selecting them as an efficient PGPR. After further investigation, these bacterial strains offers a good potential to be serve as bio-fertilizers to enhance the yield and growth of major agricultural plants.