Isolation and characterization of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and their application in plant growth

Five major genera of bacteria namely Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Klebsiella, Azotobacter, and Enterobacter has been isolated from the rhizosphere of leguminous plants. Screening of these bacterial isolates revealed different plant growth promoting properties. Phosphate solubilizers (44.82%), Siderophore producers (54.02%), IAA producers (51.72%) and Ammonia producers (82.75%) were obtained among rhizopheric bacteria isolated. Wide variation in the anti fungal properties with large number of bacteria active against Alternaria sp. and Rhizoctonia sp. Possibility of ten bacterial strains as PGPRs was explored by carrying out controlled study of exposure of seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris with culture of bacterial strains. Increase in dry mass of root and shoot were observed.