Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Actinomycetes on Wheat Plants under Abiotic Stress

The ability of actinomycetes to produce certain plant growth promoters is well known. During present study attempts were made to isolate drought and salt tolerant actinomycetes using starch casein medium. Those were screened for the production of plant growth promoting (PGP) traits such as IAA, phosphate and ammonia. Out of total 12 isolates, two isolates were selected to evaluate their effect on drought and salt tolerance in wheat, using starch casein agar supplemented with 1.5 8 % NaCl, while drought tolerance was tested using 5 20 % Polyethelene glycol (PEG-8000). The isolates showed salt tolerance up to 8 % NaCl and drought tolerance up to 20 % PEG 8000. The isolates, gave best results for phosphate solubilisation, as well as ammonium, IAA production. Thus the inoculated plants were protected from drought and salinity effects, showing improved seedling growth