Abstract:
Bio-inoculants have potential role in plant growth
promotion. The present study
evaluated the potential of
Pseudomonas
strains as bio-inoculants in wheat on the basis of
plant growth promotion and physiological characteri
zation. The 16S rRNA gene
sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that
four isolated strains belonged to genus
Pseudomonas
. These strains were positive for phosphorus solubi
lization and indole acetic
acid production, whereas only two strains were posi
tive candidate for their nitrogen fixing
ability as determined by presence or absence of
nifH
gene through amplification from
polymerase chain reaction. The pot experiment showe
d that the integrated use of
Pseudomonas
strains as co-inoculant and 50% applied mineral fe
rtilizers enhanced the
maximum wheat growth and development from 58 to 140
% for different shoot and root
growth parameters. The strain NCCP-45 and NCCP-237
were closely related to
Pseudomonas beteli
and
Pseudomonas lini,
respectively. These isolated strains can be used
to increase crop productivity by using as a bio-fer
tilizer inoculum.
Keywords:
Bio-inoculant, PCR, PGPR, Phylogenetic analysis, 16
S rRNA gene.
