Phosphate solubilization and growth promotion by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fragi</Emphasis> CS11RH1 (MTCC 8984), a psychrotolerant bacterium isolated from a high altitude Himalayan rhizosphere

Phosphate solubilization and growth promotion by Pseudomonas fragi CS11RH1 (MTCC 8984), a psychrotolerant bacterium isolated from a high altitude garlic rhizosphere from the Indian Himalayas, are reported here. The identity of the isolate was arrived on the basis of its biochemical features and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The isolate grew and solubilized phosphate at temperatures ranging from 4 to 30°C. Besides solubilizing P it produced indole acetic acid (IAA) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Seed bacterization with the isolate significantly increased the percent germination, rate of germination, plant biomass and nutrient uptake of wheat seedlings. While Pseudomonas fragi is normally associated with the spoilage of dairy products stored at cold temperatures, this is an early report on the plant growth promoting ability of the bacterium.     

Functional abilities of cultivable plant growth promoting bacteria associated with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops

In the pursuit of sustainable agriculture, bioinoculants usage as providers of a crop''s needs is a method to limit environmental damage. In this study, a collection of cultivable putative plant growth promoting (PGP) bacteria associated with wheat crops was obtained and this bacterial sample was characterized in relation to the functional diversity of certain PGP features. The isolates were obtained through classical cultivation methods, identified by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and characterized for PGP traits of interest. Functional diversity characterization was performed using Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CatPCA) and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). The most abundant genera found among the 346 isolates were Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Enterobacter. Occurrence of PGP traits was affected by genus, niche, and sampling site. A large number of genera grouped together with the ability to produce indolic compounds; phosphate solubilization and siderophores production formed a second group related to fewer genera, in which the genus Burkholderia has a great importance. The results obtained may help future studies aiming prospection of putative plant growth promoting bacteria regarding the desired organism and PGP trait.     

Pseudomonas corrugata (NRRL B-30409) Mutants Increased Phosphate Solubilization, Organic Acid Production, and Plant Growth at Lower Temperatures

A study for screening and selection of mutants of Pseudomonas corrugata (NRRL B-30409) based on their phosphate solubilization ability, production of organic acids, and subsequent effect on plant growth at lower temperatures under in vitro and in situ conditions was conducted. Of a total 115 mutants tested, two (PCM-56 and PCM-82) were selected based on their greater phosphate solubilization ability at 21°C in Pikovskaya’s broth. The two mutants were found more efficient than wild-type strain for phosphate solubilization activity across a range of temperature from psychotropic (4°C) to mesophilic (28°C) in aerated GPS medium containing insoluble rock phosphate. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that phosphate solubilization potential of wild-type and mutant strains were mediated by production of organic acids in the culture medium. The two efficient mutants and the wild strain oxidized glucose to gluconic acid and sequentially to 2-ketogluconic acid. Under in vitro conditions at 10°C, the mutants exhibited increased plant growth as compared to wild type, indicating their functionality at lower temperatures. In greenhouse trials using sterilized soil amended with either soluble or rock phosphate, inoculation with mutants showed greater positive effect on all of the growth parameters and soil enzymatic activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the development of phosphate solubilizing mutants of psychotropic wild strain of P. corrugata, native to the Indian Himalayan region.     

Growth promotion of wheat seedlings by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Exiguobacterium acetylicum</Emphasis> 1P (MTCC 8707) a cold tolerant bacterial strain from the Uttarakhand Himalayas

Exiguobacterium acetylicum strain 1P (MTCC 8707) is a gram-positive, rod-shaped, yellow pigmented bacterium isolated from soil on nutrient agar plates at 4°C. The identity of the bacterium was arrived on the basis of the biochemical characterization, BIOLOG sugar utilization pattern and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. It grew at temperatures ranging from 4 to 42°C, with temperature optima at 30°C. It expressed multiple plant growth promotion attributes such as phosphate solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production, differentially at suboptimal growth temperatures (15 and 4°C). At 15°C it solubilized phosphate (21.1 μg of P ml⁻¹ day⁻¹), and produced IAA (14.9 μg ml⁻¹ day⁻¹) in tryptophan amended media. Qualitative detection of siderophore production and HCN were possible at 15°C. At 4°C it retained all the plant growth promotion attributes. Seed bacterization with the isolate, positively influenced the growth and nutrient uptake parameters of wheat seedlings in glass house studies at suboptimal cold growing temperatures.     

Plant growth promotion abilities and formulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus megaterium</Emphasis> strain B 388 (MTCC6521) isolated from a temperate Himalayan location

Bacillus megaterium strain B388, isolated from rhizosphere soil of pine belonging to a temperate Himalayan location has been characterized. The plant growth promotion and biocontrol properties of the bacterium have been evaluated through petridish and broth based assays. The isolate solubilized tricalcium phosphate under in vitro conditions; maximum activity (166 μg/ml) was recorded at 28°C after 15 days of incubation. Production of indole acetic acid demonstrated in broth assays was another important plant growth promoting character. The bacterium produced diffusible and volatile compounds that inhibited the growth of two phytopathogens viz. Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum. The carrier based formulations of the bacterium resulted in increased plant growth in bioassays. The rhizosphere colonization and the viability of the cells entrapped in alginate beads were greater in comparison to coal or broth based formulations. The bacterium showed maximum similarity with Bacillus megaterium by 16S rRNA analysis.     

Phosphate solubilization potential and stress tolerance of rhizobacteria from rice soil in Northern Thailand

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are known to influence plant growth by various direct or indirect mechanisms. A total of 216 phosphate-solubilizing bacterial isolates were isolated from different rice rhizospheric soil in Northern Thailand. These isolate were screened in vitro for their plant growth-promoting activities such as solubilization of inorganic phosphate, ammonia (NH₃), catalase and cell wall-degrading enzyme activity. It was found that 100% solubilized inorganic phosphate, 77.77% produced NH₃ and most of the isolates were positive for catalase. In addition, some strains also produced cell wall-degrading enzymes such as protease (7%), chitinase (1%), cellulase (3%) and β-glucanase (3%), as evidenced by phenotypic biochemical test and quantitative assay using spectrophotometry. The isolates could exhibit more than two or three plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, which may promote plant growth directly or indirectly or synergistically. Part of this study focused on the effect of NaCl, temperature, and pH on a specific the bacterial isolate Acinetobacter CR 1.8. Strain CR 1.8 was able to grow on up to 25% NaCl, between 25 and 55°C, and at pH 5–9. Maximum solubilization of tricalcium phosphate and aluminium phosphate was obtained at neutral pH, and 37°C. Strain CR 1.8 had protease activity but no cellulase, β-glucanase and cellulase activities.     

Symbiotic influence of endophytic Bacillus pumilus on growth promotion and probiotic potential of the medicinal plant Ocimum sanctum

Bacillus pumilus was isolated from surface-sterilized tissues of the medicinal plant Ocimum sanctum. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imaging confirmed the presence of a rod shaped bacterium within the plant tissues. The bacterium was identified as B. pumilus by biochemical analyses and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In vitro analyses indicate that the isolated strain of B. pumilus was endowed with multiple plant growth promotion (PGP) traits such as phosphate solubilization and the production of indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Phosphate solubilization (37.3 μg ml^?1) and IAA production (36.7 μg ml^?1) by the isolate was found to reach a maximum after 60 h of incubation. Siderophore mediated iron sequestration by B. pumilus may confer a competitive advantage to the host with respect to pathogen inhibition. Siderophore produced by the isolate was found to be of a trihydroxamate type with hexadentate nature. The B. pumilus isolate also exhibited cellulolytic, proteolytic and chitinolytic activity. Cell free supernatant, culture filtrates of the isolate were found to suppress the growth of fungal phytopathogens. The culture filtrate retained its antifungal activity even after exposure to heat. In addition to PGP, the isolate exhibited probiotic properties such as acid tolerance (pH2), bile salt tolerance (2 %), auto-aggregation, antibiotic resistance and the absence of haemolytic activity. These finding suggest the possibility of utilizing this endophytic strain of B. pumilus as a bioinoculant to enhance plant growth and also as a probiotic.     

Plant growth-promoting activity in newly isolated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thioparus</Emphasis> (NII-0902) from Western <Emphasis Type="Italic">ghat</Emphasis> forest,India

A Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium isolated on nutrient agar plates incubated at 28 ± 2°C. The identity of the bacterium was confirmed by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and it reveals that it shares highest similarity with Bacillus thioparus CECT 7196^T (99.08%). It was capable of growing at temperatures ranging from 4 to 40°C, but optimum growth was observed at 28 ± 2°C. Strain NII-0902 is endowed with multiple plant growth promotion attributes such as phosphate solubilization, Indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore and HCN production, which were expressed differentially at sub-optimal temperatures (5–40°C). It was able to solubilize phosphate (17.7 μg ml⁻¹), and produce IAA (139.7 μg ml⁻¹) at 28 ± 2°C. Qualitative detection of siderophore production and HCN were also observed. At 5°C it was found to express all the plant growth promotion attributes except HCN production. The ability to colonize roots is a sine qua non condition for a rhizobacteria to be considered a true plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Bacillus sp. NII-0902 has a potential ability to colonize roots visualized by transparency, bacterial growth (turbid, milky and narrow zone) along and around roots and truly supported by scanning electron micrograph. Hence, it is proposed that, Bacillus thioparus sp. NII-0902 could be deployed as an inoculant to attain the desired results of bacterization.     

Plant growth promoting potentials of Pseudomonas spp. strain OG isolated from marine water

Abstract

Bacterium Pseudomonas spp. olive green (OG) was isolated from marine water, yet, it was characterized as plant growth promoting bacterium (PGPB). Multiple plant growth promoting traits of OG isolate were determined in vitro. It was tested positive for Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production with 29 µg ml^?1 of IAA yield, phosphate solubilization with 34 µg ml^?1 solubilization of Tri-calcium-phosphate and it showed maximum of 32 µg ml^?1 of ammonia production. OG isolate was affirming siderophore production, hydrocyanic acid (HCN) production and catalase production. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison was used to identify the isolate which showed its closest neighbor to be Pseudomonas fluoroscens strain BCPBMS-1. Efficacy of this PGPB was tested on the seedling growth of two test plants chickpea and green gram. Both the test plants treated with OG-based talc bioformulation showed significant growth promotion. Chickpea showed enhanced overall fresh biomass by 24%, overall dry biomass by 27% was observed after 15 days of seeded in pots. Green gram showed enhanced overall dry biomass by 28% was observed after 10 days of seeded in pots.     

Native bacterial endophytes promote host growth in a species-specific manner; phytohormone manipulations do not result in common growth responses

Background

All plants in nature harbor a diverse community of endophytic bacteria which can positively affect host plant growth. Changes in plant growth frequently reflect alterations in phytohormone homoeostasis by plant-growth-promoting (PGP) rhizobacteria which can decrease ethylene (ET) levels enzymatically by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase or produce indole acetic acid (IAA). Whether these common PGP mechanisms work similarly for different plant species has not been rigorously tested.

Methodology/ Principal Findings

We isolated bacterial endophytes from field-grown Solanum nigrum; characterized PGP traits (ACC deaminase activity, IAA production, phosphate solubilization and seedling colonization); and determined their effects on their host, S. nigrum, as well as on another Solanaceous native plant, Nicotiana attenuata. In S. nigrum, a majority of isolates that promoted root growth were associated with ACC deaminase activity and IAA production. However, in N. attenuata, IAA but not ACC deaminase activity was associated with root growth. Inoculating N. attenuata and S. nigrum with known PGP bacteria from a culture collection (DSMZ) reinforced the conclusion that the PGP effects are not highly conserved.

Conclusions/ Significance

We conclude that natural endophytic bacteria with PGP traits do not have general and predictable effects on the growth and fitness of all host plants, although the underlying mechanisms are conserved.     

Screening of free-living rhizospheric bacteria for their multiple plant growth promoting activities

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are known to influence plant growth by various direct or indirect mechanisms. In search of efficient PGPR strains with multiple activities, a total of 72 bacterial isolates belonging to Azotobacter, fluorescent Pseudomonas, Mesorhizobium and Bacillus were isolated from different rhizospheric soil and plant root nodules in the vicinity of Aligarh. These test isolates were biochemically characterized. These isolates were screened in vitro for their plant growth promoting traits like production of indoleacetic acid (IAA), ammonia (NH(3)), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore, phosphate solubilization and antifungal activity. More than 80% of the isolates of Azotobacter, fluorescent Pseudomonas and Mesorhizobium ciceri produced IAA, whereas only 20% of Bacillus isolates was IAA producer. Solubilization of phosphate was commonly detected in the isolates of Bacillus (80%) followed by Azotobacter (74.47%), Pseudomonas (55.56%) and Mesorhizobium (16.67%). All test isolates could produce ammonia but none of the isolates hydrolyzed chitin. Siderophore production and antifungal activity of these isolates except Mesorhizobium were exhibited by 10-12.77% isolates. HCN production was more common trait of Pseudomonas (88.89%) and Bacillus (50%). On the basis of multiple plant growth promoting activities, eleven bacterial isolates (seven Azotobacter, three Pseudomonas and one Bacillus) were evaluated for their quantitative IAA production, and broad-spectrum (active against three test fungi) antifungal activity. Almost at all concentration of tryptophan (50-500 microg/ml), IAA production was highest in the Pseudomonas followed by Azotobacter and Bacillus isolates. Azotobacter isolates (AZT(3), AZT(13), AZT(23)), Pseudomonas (Ps(5)) and Bacillus (B(1)) showed broad-spectrum antifungal activity on Muller-Hinton medium against Aspergillus, one or more species of Fusarium and Rhizoctonia bataticola. Further evaluation of the isolates exhibiting multiple plant growth promoting (PGP) traits on soil-plant system is needed to uncover their efficacy as effective PGPR.     

Temperature-dependent phosphate solubilization by cold- and pH-tolerant species of Aspergillus isolated from Himalayan soil

Ten species of Aspergillus isolated from soil samples collected from different locations in the Indian Himalayan region have been studied for their growth requirements and tricalcium phosphate solubilization at different temperatures. The Aspergillus species could grow at low temperature and tolerated a wide range of pH. Phosphate solubilization by various Aspergillus species ranged between 374 μg/ml (A. candidus) to 1394 μg/ml (A. niger) at 28°C, 33 μg/ml (A. fumigatus) to 2354 μg/ml (A. niger) at 21°C, 93 μg/ml (A. fumigatus) to 1452 μg/ml (A. niger) at 14°C, and 21 μg/ml (A. wentii) to 83 μg/ml (A. niger) at 9°C. At 21 and 28°C, phosphate solubilization showed a decrease within 4 weeks of incubation, whereas at 9°C and 14°C, it continued further up to 6 weeks of incubation. In general, phosphate solubilization by different Aspergillus species was recorded at a maximum of 28°C or 21°C; biomass production was favored at 21°C or 14°C. Conversely, A. nidulans and A. sydowii exhibited maximum phosphate solubilization at 14°C and produced maximum biomass at 21°C. Data suggest that suboptimal conditions (higher or lower temperature) for fungal growth and biomass production were optimal for the production of metabolites involved in phosphate solubilization. Significant negative correlations were obtained between pH and phosphate solubilization for eight species at 28°C, for seven at 21°C, and for nine at 14°C. Extracellular phosphatase activity was exhibited only in case of A. niger, whreas intracellular phosphatase activity was detected in all species, the maximum being in A. niger. Statistically significant positive or negative correlations were obtained between phosphate solubilization and other parameters in most cases at different temperatures.     

Bacterial Biosynthesis of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate (ACC) Deaminase and Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) as Endophytic Preferential Selection Traits by Rice Plant Seedlings

In this study, bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere and inside the roots and nodules of berseem clover plants grown in the field in Iran. Two hundred isolates were obtained from the rhizosphere (120 isolates), interior roots (57 isolates), and nodules (23 isolates) of clover plants grown in rotation with rice plants. Production of chitinase, pectinase, cellulase, siderophore, salicylic acid, hydrogen cyanide, indole acetic acid (IAA), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, solubilization of phosphate, antifungal activity against various rice plant pathogen fungi, N₂ fixation, and colonization assay on rice seedlings by these strains was evaluated and compared (endophytic isolates vs. rhizosphere bacteria). The results showed both the number and the ability of plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits were different between endophytic and rhizosphere isolates. A higher percentage of endophytic isolates were positive for production of IAA, ACC deaminase, and siderophore than rhizosphere isolates. Therefore, it is suggested that clover plant may shape its own associated microbial community and act as filters for endophyte communities, and rhizosphere isolates with different (PGP) traits. We also studied the PGP effect of the most promising endophytic and rhizosphere isolates on rice seedlings. A significant relationship among IAA and ACC deaminase production, the size of root colonization, and plant growth (root elongation) in comparison with siderophore production and phosphate solubilization for the isolates was observed. The best bacterial isolates (one endophytic isolate and one rhizosphere isolate), based on their ability to promote rice growth and colonize rice roots, were identified. Based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the endophytic isolate CEN7 and the rhizosphere isolate CEN8 were closely related to Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens, respectively. It seems that PGP trait production (such as IAA, ACC deaminase) may be required for endophytic and rhizosphere competence as compared to other PGP traits in rice seedlings under constant flooded conditions. The study also shows that the presence of diverse rhizobacteria with effective growth-promoting traits associated with clover plants may be used for sustainable crop management under field conditions.     

Characterization of Plant Growth–Promoting Traits of Bacteria Isolated from Larval Guts of Diamondback Moth <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plutella xylostella</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Eight bacterial isolates from the larval guts of Diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella) were tested for their plant growth–promoting (PGP) traits and effects on early plant growth. All of the strains tested positive for nitrogen fixation and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) and salicylic acid production but negative for hydrogen cyanide and pectinase production. In addition, five of the isolates exhibited significant levels of tricalcium phosphate and zinc oxide solubilization; six isolates were able to oxidize sulfur in growth media; and four isolates tested positive for chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities. Based on their IAA production, six strains including four that were 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase positive and two that were ACC deaminase negative were tested for PGP activity on the early growth of canola and tomato seeds under gnotobiotic conditions. Acinetobacter sp. PSGB04 significantly increased root length (41%), seedling vigor, and dry biomass (30%) of the canola test plants, whereas Pseudomonas sp. PRGB06 inhibited the mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum coccodes, C. gleospoiroides, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotia sclerotiorum under in vitro conditions. A significant increase, greater than that of the control, was also noted for growth parameters of the tomato test plants when the seeds were treated with PRGB06. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that bacteria associated with insect larval guts possess PGP traits and positively influence plant growth. Therefore, insect gut bacteria as effective PGP agents represent an unexplored niche and may broaden the spectrum of beneficial bacteria available for crop production.     

Preferential Promotion of Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato) Growth by Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Associated with Tomato

A total of 74 morphologically distinct bacterial colonies were selected during isolation of bacteria from different parts of tomato plant (rhizoplane, phylloplane and rhizosphere) as well as nearby bulk soil. The isolates were screened for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits such as production of indole acetic acid, siderophore, chitinase and hydrogen cyanide as well as phosphate solubilization. Seven isolates viz., NR4, NR6, RP3, PP1, RS4, RP6 and NR1 that exhibited multiple PGP traits were identified, based on morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, as species that belonged to four genera Aeromonas, Pseudomonas,Bacillus and Enterobacter. All the seven isolates were positive for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase. Isolate NR6 was antagonistic to Fusarium solani and Fusarium moniliforme, and both PP1 and RP6 isolates were antagonistic to F. moniliforme. Except RP6, all isolates adhered significantly to glass surface suggestive of biofilm formation. Seed bacterization of tomato, groundnut, sorghum and chickpea with the seven bacterial isolates resulted in varied growth response in laboratory assay on half strength Murashige and Skoog medium. Most of the tomato isolates positively influenced tomato growth. The growth response was either neutral or negative with groundnut, sorghum and chickpea. Overall, the results suggested that bacteria with PGP traits do not positively influence the growth of all plants, and certain PGP bacteria may exhibit host-specificity. Among the isolates that positively influenced growth of tomato (NR1, RP3, PP1, RS4 and RP6) only RS4 was isolated from tomato rhizosphere. Therefore, the best PGP bacteria can also be isolated from zones other than rhizosphere or rhizoplane of a plant.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12088-014-0470-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Slow and steady phosphate solubilization by a psychrotolerant strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paecilomyces</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">hepiali</Emphasis> (MTCC 9621)

A psychrotolerant phosphate solubilizing fungus has been isolated from the rock soil of a cold desert site in Indian Himalaya. The fungus grows from 4 to 35°C (optimum 21°C), and from 2 to 13.5 pH (optimum 9) under laboratory conditions. Based on phenotypic characters and 26S rDNA analysis, the fungus is identified as Paecilomyces hepiali. In quantitative estimation that was carried out at 9, 14, and 21°C, the fungus solubilized maximum phosphate at 14°C. In view of the slow growth and persistence of the desired activity at low temperature, the estimation was carried out for a longer period, i.e., up to 6 weeks. The suboptimal conditions for growth and biomass production were found to be optimal for phosphate solubilization by the fungus. At 14 and 9°C, the solubilization touched its maximum on day 42. Decline in pH was found to be significantly correlated with the phosphate solubilization at all the temperatures, under consideration. The acid phosphatase activity was found to be more prominent than alkaline phosphatase in culture filtrate. High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis showed production of six organic acids, gluconic and α-keto glutaric acid being in maximum amount in the culture filtrate. The study has ecological significance in view of the nutrient cycling under low temperature environment, prevalent in Himalayan region.     

Phosphate solubilizing rhizobacteria as alternative of chemical fertilizer for growth and yield of Triticum aestivum (Var. Galaxy 2013)

AimThe presence of Phosphorus as a macronutrient in soil is necessary for plant growth and its deficiency restricts crop yield. Therefore, the aim of current study is to isolate promising rhizospheric phosphate solubilizing bacteria presenting with plant growth promoting (PGP) traits and their utilization as biofertilizers to improve Triticum aestivum (Var. Galaxy 2013) growth and nutrition.MethodOut of 30 isolates obtained from rhizosphere of various plants of different regions, 10 best PSRB strains (WumS-3, WumS-4, WumS-5, WumS-11, WumS-12, WumS-21, WumS-24, WumS-25, WumS-26 and WumS-28) were selected based on their high P solubilization and good PGP (auxin, psiderphore, HCN, Nitrogen fixation) activities. Triticum aestivum (Var. Galaxy 2013) was used as an experimental crop under laboratory and field conditions.ResultsIn this study, P solubilization capacity of selected strains were found 4–7 solubilization index on agar plate and 30–246 µg/ml in liquid broth respectively. The optimum conditions for phosphate solubilization under in vitro condition were found 35 °C at pH 7, glucose as good carbon source and ammonium nitrate as a good nitrogen source. Furthermore, the selected strains had the ability to produces phytohormones (indole acetic acid), siderophore, ammonia and Hydrogen Cyanide. Finally, PSRB inoculum showed significant (p < 0.05) increase (50%–80%) in seed germination while 10–90% increase in root length and shoot length was found as compared to control in laboratory condition. Under natural conditions, 40–80% increase in seed germination while 5–34.8% increase in shoot length and 5–96% increase in seed weight was also observed.ConclusionIsolated strains are promising PSRB that enhance plant growth and this research is a base for recommending the use of these bacterial strains for biofertilizer, as an alternative of chemical fertilizer, for Triticum aestivum L. production.     

Characterization of a cold-tolerant plant growth-promoting bacterium Pantoea dispersa 1A isolated from a sub-alpine soil in the North Western Indian Himalayas

Pantoea dispersa strain 1A is a Gram-negative rod-shaped, yellow-pigmented bacterium isolated on nutrient agar plates incubated at 4°C. The identity of the bacterium was confirmed by sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene. It was capable of growing at temperatures ranging from 4 to 42°C, but maximum growth was observed at 30°C. It is endowed with multiple plant growth promotion attributes such as phosphate solubilization, IAA production, siderophore production and HCN production, which are expressed differentially at sub-optimal temperatures (15 and 4°C). It was able to solubilize phosphate (17.6 μg of P₂O₅ ml⁻¹ day⁻¹), and produce IAA (3.7 μg ml⁻¹ day⁻¹), at 15°C. Qualitative detection of siderophore production and HCN were also observed at 15°C. At 4°C it was found to express all the plant growth promotion attributes. This bacterial isolate was able to positively influence and promote the growth and nutrient uptake parameters of wheat (cv. VL.802) under glasshouse conditions. Hence in the context, of cold wheat-growing environments, it is proposed that Pantoea dispersa 1A (MTCC 8706), could be deployed as an inoculant to attain the desired results of bacterization.     

Plant growth promotion by a hexavalent chromium reducing bacterial strain, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cellulosimicrobium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">cellulans</Emphasis> KUCr3

This article reports on the isolation and characterization of a Cr(VI) resistant bacterial strain, having plant growth promoting properties to improve general growth of plant in chromium-contaminated soil through rhizosphere colonization. The strain was isolated from the sludge of waste canal carrying industrial effluents. The minimum inhibitory concentration of chromium to this strain was found to be 450 and 400 mM in complex and minimal media, respectively. The strain also showed varied degree of resistance to Cd, Co, As, Ni and Zn. It exhibited potential Cr(VI) reducing ability under aerobic culture conditions, and the factors affecting Cr(VI) reduction by this strain were evaluated. The optimum pH and temperature required to achieve maximum Cr(VI) reduction values were 7 and 35°C, respectively. Higher concentration of Cr(VI) slowed down the reduction, but with longer incubation time it reduced nearly all detectable amount of Cr(VI). The strain showed positive response to IAA production and phosphate solubilization. It promoted the growth of chilli plants in waste-fed soil with or without additional Cr through its establishment in rhizosphere. The successful establishment of KUCr3 in the rhizosphere of chilli plants helped to reduce Cr uptake by the test plant. This strain shows a promise that the multifarious role of this strain would be useful in the Cr-contaminated rhizosphere soil as a good bioremediation and plant growth promoting agent as well. Through biochemical characterization and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the strain KUCr3, as the name given to it, was identified as a strain of Cellulosimicrobium cellulans.     

The role of endophytic bacteria during seed piece decay and potato tuberization

Healthy potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Kennebec were found to be internally colonized by non-pathogenic bacterial populations originating from root zone soil. These endophytic bacteria were categorized, on the basis of bioassays, as plant growth promoting (PGP), plant growth retarding (PGR) and plant growth neutral (PGN). Genera isolated from tubers included Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Xanthomonas, Agrobacterium, Actinomyces and Acinetobacter. The PGP and PGR isolates were similarly distributed throughout these genera. Bacterial populations increased in the root zone soil directly adjacent to the seed piece during and immediately following seed piece decay. Bacteria sampled at this time were capable of promoting tuber number and weight. The proportions of PGP, PGR and PGN bacteria in the root zone were altered as endophytic bacteria were released from the decaying seed piece. The study indicates that endophytic bacteria present in the seed tubers may play an important role in seed piece decay, tuberization and plant growth.