SELECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PGPR FROM RHIZOSPHERE OF CAPSICUM (Capsicum annuum L.)
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2009
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ABSTRACT
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are associated with plant roots and augment plant productivity and immunity by reducing fertilizer application rates and nutrient runoff from agricultural sources. There is an urgent need to develop effective and more consistent PGPR inocula to overcome sensitivity of capsicum to extremes of environment coupled with higher incidence of diseases and insect pest in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh. So, the present investigations entitled “Selection and characterization of PGPR from rhizosphere of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.)” was carried out during 2007-2009. An attempt was made to characterize and evaluate the effect of locally isolated rhizobacteria from different locations on growth promotion and disease suppression of capsicum plants under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Out of 26 purified isolates, PM9 isolate was selected as it possesses maximum plant growth promoting attributes like P-solubilization, growth on nitrogen free medium, siderophore production, auxin production, HCN production and antagonism against Phytophthora blight and Colletotrichum fruit rot. The isolate belongs to genus Bacillus. The optimum pH and temperature for the growth of the bacterium was 7 and 35oC, respectively. The isolate was capable of hydrolyzing tri-calcium phosphate in solid and liquid PVK medium. Seed bacterization with PM9 isolate not only increased seed germination, root shoot length, their biomass and fruit yield but also had significant increased the available NPK content and microbial (endophytic and rhizospheric) population over other isolates and untreated control. Thus, it is clear that Bacillus sp. (PM9) is most predominant colonizer of roots and rhizosphere of capsicum plant and have good prospects to be used as PGPR inoculant not only for enhanced growth and fruit production but also to sustain soil health under mid hills of Himachal Pradesh.