Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Aman Jaiswal, Geeta Kumari, Viabhav Kumar Upadhyay, Jyostnarani Pradhan, Hemlata Singh and Kartik Pramanik

Abstract:
PGPRs offer an innovative solution for enhancing sustainable agriculture by promoting plant growth and acting as biocontrol agents. In this research, PGPRs from maize plant rhizospheres were isolated and assessed for their ability to boost plant growth through nitrogen fixation, nutrient solubilization, and indole-3-acetic acid production. They were also evaluated for their antagonistic potential against pathogens through siderophore, HCN, ammonia, cellulase, chitinase, and catalase production. The study explored the concept of microbial consortia, where combinations of PGPRs collaborate to improve agricultural productivity and combat soil-borne phytopathogens. To utilize these PGPRs effectively, the identification of bacterial isolates was a crucial step. This involved traditional culturing techniques, morphological and biochemical confirmation, followed by a rapid and efficient way for separating and classifing bacterial strains, together with phylogenetic analysis and GenBank submission. Subsequently, promising PGPRs were selected to form consortia using the cross-streaking method. This research contributes to the isolation, characterization, identification, and development of PGPR consortia, offering valuable insights for sustainable agriculture.