Isolation and characterization of fluorescent pseudomonads and their effect on plant growth promotion.

Seven isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads were evaluated for their effect on plant growth promoting traits, both under normal and saline conditions using tomato plants. Fifteen rhizosphere samples from crop fields' of rice, chilly, ragi, beans and garden soils from different regions of India were collected and used for further study. They were characterized morphologically and biochemically which led to a conclusion that they may belong to genus Pseudomonas. They were also analyzed for their plant growth promoting activities such as production of indole acetic acid, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia. It was observed that all the isolates were able to produce these compounds, but to varying extent. But, isolate JUPF37 produced highest followed by JUPF32. Study showed that out of seven isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads, JUPF37 showed highest plant growth promoting traits both under normal and saline conditions.