Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Pavithra M, Bhuvana G, Adhithya T, Jenisha J, Monica SV, Pushpakanth P and Tamilselvi SM

Abstract:
Zinc is an important micronutrient for plant since it involves in many cellular functions but their availability is less because of various environmental factors. Few microorganisms have the ability to solubilize zinc and make it available to the plant system. The present study aimed to isolate the ZSB from Bhendi, Brinjal, Chilli, and Marigold rhizosphere soils of Sethu Bhaskara Agricultural College and Research Foundation (SBACRF) field, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu. A total of twenty three isolates were obtained based on high clear zone on Bunt and Rovira medium. From those, eleven isolates (ZSBBh6, ZSBBr9, ZSBC11, ZSBC12, ZSMC13, ZSBC14, ZSBC15, ZSBC16, ZSBC17, ZSBM22, and ZSBM23) were selected based on high solubilization index and titratable acidity. Morphological characterization revealed that most of them were belonged Gram negative except ZSBC 15. These isolates were screened for plant growth promoting (PGP) characters showed that most of the isolates solubilize P ions and only one isolate (ZSBC15) solubilize K. Most of the strains have produced HCN in qualitatively assay whereas IAA production was observed in two strains, ZSBC13 and ZSBC14 and siderophoreproduction was observed in ZSBC13. Almost all strains have inhibited all the three tested pathogens (Colletotrichum sp., Macrophomina sp. and Aspergillus sp.). Hence, this study indicated that inoculation of ZSB have potential to promote plant growth.