Halotolerant as plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)

Abstract

Extremophile species known as halophiles flourish in conditions when salt concentrations are extremely high. The microbial communities in the soil of the Kutch region are highly salinized and have not been thoroughly studied. Soil bacteria known as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) live in the rhizosphere, rhizoplane and roots of plants where they support plant growth through a number of direct and indirect means. Nineteen halotolerant bacterial strains were obtained from the Kutch region for this study. These strains are capable of growing in medium with 1-20% NaCl. Morphological, physiological and biochemical traits were examined and factors like pH, NaCl and temperature tolerance were found to be important for their proliferation. It was possible for the isolates to release extracellular enzymes such as cellulose, lipase, amylase and protease. The efficiency of nitrogen fixation was discovered but quantitative estimation needs to be done.

Additionally, the isolates demonstrated effective zinc and phosphate solubilization on the appropriate substrate. We examined whether wheat, a crop sensitive to salt, may serve as a suitable host for halotolerant bacteria that have the ability to stimulate plant growth by evaluating their impact on biomass, survival and seed germination. Research on halotolerant bacteria in the presence of heavy metals such as nickel, has benefited plant roots. Nevertheless, before these strains are regarded as biofertilizer, more crops and field testing are required. According to this preliminary study, soil of Kutch exhibits a high concentration of halotolerant microbes. These bacteria may have properties that promote plant growth and can be used as biological fertilizer.

Keywords: Biofertilizer, Nickel, Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Zinc solubilization.