Riddhi Bhalani and Dr. Sumita Dasgupta

Potassium is the most essential macro nutrient for the growth and development of plants. the current study was undertaken to isolate and characterize the potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) from the rhizosphere of Pennisetum glaucum grown in Surat. A total of 18 strains were isolated. Isolates were screened for their potassium solubilization efficacy using Aleksandrov agar and broth. Seven isolates were found to be good potassium solubilizers. The isolate PG10 showed the highest zone of solubilization (8.22±0.477cm) and soluble potassium production (125.3330.707 μg mL 1). All the KSB isolates were characterized based on morphology, gram staining, and biochemical tests. The plant growth-promoting attributes of PG10 strains were assessed by a pot culture experiment conducted with Arachis hypogaea. Significant enhancement in the germination and growth of the inoculated seeds was observed. The results strongly indicate that the PG10 strain of Bacillus spp. is a potent potassium-solubilizing bacterial bio-inoculant.

DOI: 10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i3d.14966

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