NARAYANASWAMY, BDAKSHAYINI, G2017-08-012017-08-012015-07-10Th-11029http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810026949An experiment was conducted to isolate and screen efficient Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria from different Chickpea growing areas. 24 isolates were isolated from four Chickpea soil samples, among them 10 isolates were screened based on their ability to solubilize P, they were tested for the phosphate solubilization efficiency on Pikovskaya’s agar media under in vitro conditions. Isolate ACP-3 recorded higher (188.8%) PSE, highest (17.36%) per cent Pi released from TCP and the highest drop in the pH (4.1 at 7 DAI) of the broth medium. 16SrRNA sequencing was done for the three promising isolates. The efficient isolate ACP-3 was identified as Bacillus licheniformis. Other two organisms ACP-2 and CCP-2 were identified as Arthrobacter sp. HPG166 and Pseudomonas chlororaphis respectively. All the 10 PSB isolates evaluated in pot culture experiment to determine their influence on growth parameters of Chickpea plants. At both 30 and 50 DAS, the plant height was significantly higher in the treatment ACP-3 + RDF. Total biomass of Chickpea plants was significantly increased in ACP-3 + RDF treatment. Under field conditions, Bacillus licheniformis was inoculated with varied level and different source of P fertilizers and significant increase in plant growth, total biomass, nodulation, rhizosphere microflora, yield and nutrient status of the soil over uninoculated control. The results revealed that, with the inoculation of Bacillus licheniformis25% of SSP application can be saved. Isolate Bacillus licheniformis (ACP-3) was the most promising isolate and can be used for developing PSB inoculants for the Chickpea growing areas.ennullThesis