Phosphate solubilization and plant growth promotion by two Pantoea strains isolated from the flowers of Hedychium coronarium L.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plants and considered as one of the limiting nutrients to plants. The majority P in soil found form insoluble phosphate complexes, making unavailable In present study, we report two highly efficient solubilizing bacteria isolated from closed flower Hedychium coronarium L., a medicinal plant commonly known Gulbakawali. Based on morphological, biochemical, molecular characterization, bacterial isolates were identified genus Pantoea designated HCF6 HCF9. Both these efficiently solubilize tricalcium [Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ] National Botanical Research Institute’s Phosphate (NBRIP) medium by releasing soluble up 2000 μg ml -1 also partially aluminium (AlPO ). HCF9 possess several growth promoting traits evaluated promotion ability using sand medium. Wheat treated with had increased root shoot length dry mass accumulated higher inorganic tissue suggesting their role mobilizing P-complexes. Overall, our findings suggest that both (HCF6 HCF9) represent promising candidates bioinoculants.