Application of Plant Growth Promoting Bacillus thuringiensis as Biofertilizer on Abelmoschus esculentus Plants under Field Condition

Plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strain Bacillus thuringiensis A5-BRSC was applied as charcoal-based biofertilizer on Abelmoschus esculentus plants under field condition for consecutive two years (spring-summer season). The objective of the present study is to evaluate the growth promoting parameters of the plant under field condition. Field application of biofertilizer showed statistically significant increase (at 0.05 levels by one-way ANOVA) in seed germination, shoot height, root length, leaf diameter, vigor index, fruit weight, seed weight and total fresh weight as well as dry weight of inoculated plants in comparison to the plants not treated with biofertilizer. Biofertilizer inoculated plants exhibited 68% more protein content in leaves, as well as about 70% more catalase and 52% more peroxidase activity than control plants; although leaf chlorophyll content was not significantly changed. Biofertilizer treatment increased nutritional content of the fruits. About 66% increase in the soluble sugar content, 34% more protein content and more than 75% phosphorus content in pods were noted in biofertilizer treated plants, compared to untreated plants.