ASHA, N. N.SUSHMA, N. N.2023-05-172023-05-172023-03-11Th-13629https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810197350The halophilic microorganisms were isolated from salt affected soils of Mandya, Maddur and Chamarajanagar under Cauvery command area and characterized for salt tolerance and its growth promotion. Out of 65 isolates, four isolates namely, MDY 1A, MDR 4B, CRN 2A and CRN 5B recorded higher ACC deaminase activity, proline accumulation (4.85, 4.78, 4.38 and 4.56 μg mL-1), production of exopolysaccharide (19.77, 19.15, 18.92 and 18.63 mg mL-1), siderophore ( 4.13, 4.87, 4.09, 3.82 μg mL-1), gibberellic acid (17.52, 15.12, 20.27 and 21.47 mg mL-1), abscisic acid (4.65, 3.31, 4.55 and 3.37 mg mL-1) and salicylic acid (3.94, 3.39, 3.49 and 3.49 mg mL-1) along with solubilization of phosphorus, potassium and zinc. These four isolates were subjected for molecular characterization and were identified as Halobacillus massiliensis, Staphylococcus edaphicus, Virgibacillus halophilus and Halobacillus dabanensis respectively. Further, these bacterial isolates were evaluated for growth and yield parameters in cowpea plants under greenhouse condition using salt affected soil. From this study, the treatment T13: ( T2 + Halobacillus massiliensis + Staphylococcus edaphicus + Virgibacillus halophilus + Halobacillus dabanensis) significantly improved plant height (192.68 cm), root length (28.89 cm), shoot biomass (84.79 g), root biomass (33.22g) and seed yield (77.29g) of cowpea at harvest compared to control under salt stress condition and imparted salt tolerance in cowpea.EnglishThesis