SELECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RHIZOSPHERIC AND ENDOPHYTIC MICROORGANISMS OF Prunus avium
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Date
2010
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ABSTRACT
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are root-colonizing bacteria that exert
beneficial effects on plant growth and development by direct and indirect mechanisms.. Some of
these PGPR can also establish endophytic associations. During the present investigation attempts
were made to isolate and characterize the rhizospheric and endophytic microorganisms of Prunus
avium. The isolated bacterial strains were characterized for plant growth promoting activities
such as nitrogen fixation, phosphorous solubilization, siderophore production, antifungal activity,
HCN production. Out of 14 purified isolates, VS2, VS6, VS9 isolates were selected for net house
experiment, as they possess maximum attributes like P-solubilization, siderophore production,
auxin production, HCN production and antagonism against Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia
solani and Pythium aphanidermatum. The isolates belong to genus Bacillus. The isolates were
also capable of hydrolyzing tri-calcium phosphate in solid and liquid PVK medium. Seed
bacterization with the selected isolates increased the growth, nutrition uptake in cherry plants
under net house conditions. The bacterial treatments significantly increased the shoot length, root
length, shoot dry weight and root dry weight over uninoculated plants. The available N, P and K
content was found more in treated seedlings. These three strains have considerable colonization
and competitive ability. Thus proving to be an ecofriendly, economical and more sustainable
option in reducing the excessive use of expensive fertilizers.