Evaluation of Plant Growth Promoting Activity of Rhizosphere Bacteria of Different Crop Plants

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are good sources of nourishment to soil and hence a potential alternative to chemical fertilizers. In the study, a total of 12 rhizobacterial isolates, designated as SI1 - SI12 were assayed for their plant growth promoting activity. Using available standardized protocols the phosphate solubilisation and nitrogen fixation capabilities of the bacterial isolates were determined. Indole acetic acid (IAA) production capability of all the isolates was observed, among which two of the isolates SI-2 and SI-9 were noted to produce IAA in considerable amounts. These PGPR are thus found to be a promising source of bio fertilizers, detailed experimental study of which is to be accomplished in future.