Attributes of Prospective Plant Growth Promoting Halophilic Bacteria (Pgphb) Screened from Saline Soils of Baramati Tehsil of Maharashtra State (India)

Abstract

The important constraint for food production is soil salinity as it limits crop yield. In the present investigation, plant growth promoting halophilic bacteria (PGPHB) from saline soil of Baramati Tehsil of Maharashtra State were isolated, identified and characterized using physicochemical, biochemical, 16SrRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Plant growth promoting traits of two identified PGPHB were also detected. Isolates were moderate halophiles identified as Haererehalobacter sp. SM2 and Halomonas sp. SM3. They grew optimally within the range 3% to10% NaCl concentration. Both isolates were indol acetic acid producing, phoshate solubilizing and nitrogen fixing bacteria having big potential for bioremediation of salt affeced soils for crop production.