Efficacy of indigenous plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on capsicum yield and soil health

摘要

Screening of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) was carried out by isolating 56 bacterial isolates from rhizosphere and roots of capsicum. The isolates were grouped on morphological similarities (RS_1 to RS_(10)), characterized biochemicallyand evaluated for various plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. Among all, six best isolates (RS_2, RS_3, RS_4, RS_4, RSg and RS_2^) were evaluated for their effect on seed germination and seedling growth of capsicum under controlled conditions. Out of six, four best performers (RS_2, RS_3, RS_4 and RS_4) were evaluated for their effect on growth and yield of capsicum under net house conditions. Among which RS_4 isolate possessed maximum P-solubilization (80.0%) and auxin production (29.67 jag/ml). However, RS_4 isolate possessed maximum siderophore production (83.3%) and antagonism against Pythium spp. (41.7%), Phytophthora spp. (42.5%) and CoUetotrichum spp. (40.1%). Seed bacterization with RS_4 isolate (Bacillus sp.) showed maximum increase in shootlength (48.0%), shoot biomass (43.7%), root length (50.0%), root biomass (42.1%), yields (33.7%) and nutrient uptake N (40.0%), P (36.8% ) and K (23.6%) over control which was statistically at par with treatment receiving RS_4 isolate {Bacillus subtilis). Hence, the two bacterial isolates (RS_4 and RS_4) were strong to be used as biofertilizer and biocontrol agent for capsicum under mid-hill conditions of northwestern Himalayan region.