Halotolerant as
plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)
Ahir Miral, Joshi Akruti R. and Patel Gayatriben B.
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences and
Veterinary Medicine;
Vol. 12(2); 34-49;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/1202ijasvm34049; (2024)
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.
