KAUSHAL, RAJESHSHYAM, VINEET2017-01-192017-01-19201047239http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/97022ABSTRACT 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.enThesis