Effect of halophilic phosphobacteria on Avicennia officinalis seedlings

Phosphobacteria is one among the soil microorganisms which plays an important role in improving the chemical and physical nature of the soil, adding organic matter to soil, solubilizing the insoluble phosphate increasing availability and utilization of growth and yield. The phosphate solubilizing bacteria, which were inoculated with Avicennia officinalis seedlings, increased significantly the average root length by 43.43%, average shoot length by 40.00%, number of primary roots by 53.7%, number of secondary roots by 59.74%, shoot biomass by 69.39% and root biomass by 26.32%. The pigments also increased to the level of total chlorophyll by 54.22%, chlorophyll-a by 43.18%, Carotenoids by 90.00% and the biochemical constituents the level of carbohydrate by 61.88%, protein by 52.38% and amino acid by 27.85% increased. Thus, phosphate solubilizing bacteria is beneficial in raising vigorous seedling of Avicennia officinalis under nursery and field conditions.