Plant Science & Physiology

Biography

Biography: Deepmala Katiyar

Abstract

The past couple of decades, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) will begin to replace the use of chemicals in agriculture, horticulture, silviculture and environmental cleanup strategies. Scientific researchers involve multidisciplinary approaches to understand adaptation of PGPR, effects on plant physiology and growth induced systemic resistance, biocontrol of plant pathogens and biofertilization. PGPR are naturally occurring soil bacteria that aggressively colonize in plant roots and play a vital role in crop protection, growth promotion and in the improvement of soil health. The study was conducted to isolate plant growth promoting rhizobacteria from sugarcane rhizosphere and assess their potential with combination of chitosan for plant growth and biocontrol activities. Isolated rhizobacteria were characterized by morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular identification of bacteria by 16S rRNA sequencing. They were screened in vitro plant growth promoting traits viz., production of Indole acetic acid, Hydrogen cyanide, Ammonia production and antifungal activity against Colletotrichum falcatum. Five isolates showed highest plant growth promoting activities. All isolates identified as Enterobacter hormaechei, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus pumilus. For biocontrol activities against Colletotrichum falcatum, the significant growth inhibition was observed. This study was further preceded in sugarcane. Sugarcane setts were soaked into PGPR and chitosan solution for 12 hours. Germination percentage, growth parameters, chlorophyll, proline content, nitrate reductase activity, anti-oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase activity showed significant findings. The study is suggesting that PGPR and chitosan can be used as an effective biological fertilizer combination for increasing sugarcane production.