Evaluation of endophytic Bacillus spp. isolates from tomato roots on seed germination and seedling vigour of tomato

Abstract

Rocky tomato seeds variety was treated with endophytic Bacillus isolates to determine their efficacy and ability to enhance seedling vigour and germination per cent as a potential plant growth promoter. Twelve screened endophytic Bacillus isolates were evaluated for their germination and vigour of tomato seeds in in vitro condition. Seed germination percent ranged between 60-95% with lowest in uninoculated control. Among them, Bacillus velezensis ERBS51 treated seeds had the highest germination per cent (95%) and vigour index (1073.50 and 1472.5) at both 7th and 14th day which was the best performing isolate among the twelve. Bacillus sp. ERBS10 also gave significant good result with 88% germination per cent along with 953 and 1287 vigour indexes at 7th and 14th days. The root length and shoot length were also found higher in both the isolates. The result indicates that Bacillus velezensis ERBS51 was found most effective in enhancing plant growth.