Amelioration of growth of maize (Zea mays L.) seedling using plant growth promoting bacteria

Abstract

This research was aimed to screen plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) from soil and study its effect on maize plant growth. PGPB were isolated from Saurashtra coastal region soil and cultured in Nitrogen fixing Ashby’s medium to find potent of PGPBs, we conducted a thorough screening process, assessed their abilities in phosphate and zinc solubilization, siderophore production, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) release and the antifungal activity was performed against Fusarium oxysporum, a pathogenic fungus. These tests helped us identify bacteria with plant growth-promoting characteristics for plants. Bacterial isolates which provided better results were sequenced and sequences were submitted to NCBI. Bacterial isolates selected for application on maize in primary screening showed most treated seeds increased the seedling vigor of maize. In the latter stages of screening where bacterial consortia were developed from primary and secondary screening. In 30 days, the experiment in maize plant height, number of leaves, chlorophyll content and anatomy was analysed. All the bacterium consortiums displayed an increase in height (24.75%), number of leaves (47.77%) and total chlorophyll content (23.59%) as compared to the control maize plant. Additionally, microscopic examination of the treated plants showed improved growth, especially in the increased starch grain content in the leaves, stems and roots. Out of the eleven PGPB consortia, 3 specific PGPB consortia in this study have significantly substantiated the growth of maize plants as evidenced by the comprehensive analysis of anatomical features.