Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

Soil acidity is one of the major constraints for crop production in the lateritic regions of West Bengal, such as Birbhum, Bankura, parts of Barddhaman, West Medinipur and entire Purulia districts of West Bengal. In order to alleviate the soil acidity by utilizing native potential rhizospheric PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) in the laterite regions of West Bengal, the survey was conducted for collection of rhizospheric soil samples from various cultivated and wild plants from different locations of Birbhum district. In the present investigation, attempts were made for the enumeration, isolation and characterization of the most efficient native proteobacteria inoculants for accruing benefit to agricultural crop production in the problematic acid soils. A total number of forty six bacteria were isolated from lateritic regions of West Bengal. Highest number of total bacterial population was observed from rhizosphere of Paddy followed by rhizosphere of pointed gourd. The root exudates of cucurbit rhizosphere harbor the highest number of bacterial population under lateritic region as compared to the rhizosphere of other crops. Finally 46 isolates were purified and maintained for the studies. Dendogram was generated based on hierarchical clustering and grouped these 46 isolates into two major groups on the basis of their growth at pH 4.0. Among 46 bacterial isolates, 41% isolates were found to be highly acid tolerant at pH level 4.0 indicating isolates are fit to sustain under low pH conditions.