Growth promotion of two wheat cultivars by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

Based upon their ability to produce auxins (indole-3-acetic-acid equivalents), 11 isolates of rhizobacteria were selected to evaluate their growth promoting activity. Seeds of 2 wheat cvs. Inqlab and LU 26S inoculated with these isolates were sown in the field under optimum fertilization (NPK @ 150-75-50 kg ha(-1)). Inoculation with rhizobacteria showed an increase in grain yields of cv. Inqlab and LU 26S by upto 15.3% and 18.5%, respectively, as compared to uninoculated control. Inoculation with rhizobacteria also significantly increased the number of tillers, straw weight and 1000-grain weight in both cultivars. Plant height was increased only in case of wheat cv. LU 26S.