Abstract

Klebsiella species known to exhibit important PGP traits like solubilization of phosphate, phytohormone production and good germination potential. In present study, based on the Phosphate solubilization and IAA production bacterial strain VRE36 was selected among the isolates collected from different sugarcane cultivar rhizosphere growing near Bardoli area for characterization and molecular identification through 16S rRNA gene sequence, which confirms the isolate as Klebsiella pneumoniae. The phosphate solubilization index of the isolate recorded was 3.9 and quantitative estimation reveals 17.4±1.78µg/ml release of phosphate in NBRIP broth. The high amount of IAA produced was 45.32±2.46µg/ml after 96 hour incubation at 37 °C. In seed germination assay with V radiate, C tetragonoloba and V unguiculata, treatments with bacteria were supported good plant height, dry weight and fresh weight when compared with controls. Maximum percentage of germination was recorded in V radiate (97.78%). The improved seedling parameters of the inoculated crop seeds indicated the potential of this isolate to be used in a bio-fertilizer formulation for sustainable production.

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