Estimation of Plant Growth Promoting Traits of Bacterial Endophytes Isolated from Potato Plants

Author: G.S. Srikanth, R. Mythra, Jagadeesh U., Nakul Kale, Bhagyashree, K.B. and K. Nagaraju

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Abstract

Sustainable agriculture is the need of the hour and endophytes offer an exciting prospect towards this. Many biotic and abiotic stresses hinder the plant growth ultimately resulting in yield loss. In the present study, the bacterial endophytes were isolated and were evaluated for their plant growth promotional (PGP) activities. Ten better performing isolates were selected among the 62 bacterial endophytes isolated from the potato plants. Later, these 10 isolates (PEL-4, PEL-5, PEL-6, PEL-8, PES-5, PER-6, PER-10, PEL-13, PEL-20 and PEL-22) were subjected to both qualitative and quantitative estimation for various PGP traits under in vitro conditions. The results showed that the strains PEL-4, PES-5, PEL-22 were superior among all the isolates. The isolate PEL-22 was the most efficient isolate which showed highest per cent of siderophore production (80.88 %), phosphate solubilisation (35.17 µg/ml) and potassium solubilisation (3.67 cm). Only 3 isolates, PEL-4, PES-5 and PEL-22 were tested positive for HCN production and 4 isolates were positive for ammonia production and these three isolates were observed to be able to produce PGP traits encouraging plant growth and yield increase.

Keywords

Bacterial endophytes, Sustainable agriculture, Plant growth promotional traits

Conclusion

Endophytic bacteria, which have been shown to be plant growth-promoting or pathogen-suppressing or to activate plant defence systems can benefit plants through enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and plant growth promotion. Endophytes perform various activities such production of siderophores, phytohormones secretion, nutrient assimilation like phosphate and potassium solubilisation, HCN and ammonia production, etc., which not only help the plants for their growth and development but also help them overcome a various range of biotic stresses by combating disease causing pathogens. Bacterial endophytes are having novel bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites that can be potential source of antimicrobials for sustainable pest and disease management. Exploring the wide diversity of endophytes could provide new antagonists with different abilities to control plant pathogens. Incorporating a plant growth promoting (PGP) endophyte not only makes nutrient supply more affordable, but it also enhances plant health, making crop cultivation an environmentally friendly choice.

References

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How to cite this article

G.S. Srikanth, R. Mythra, Jagadeesh U., Nakul Kale, Bhagyashree, K.B. and K. Nagaraju (2023). Estimation of Plant Growth Promoting Traits of Bacterial Endophytes Isolated from Potato Plants. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(7): 205-209.