Isolation, screening and identification of moisture stress tolerant Rhizobacteria from xerophyte Prosopis juliflora (Sw)

Abstract

Plant growth and productivity are adversely affected by various abiotic (high temperature, moisture stress and salinity) and biotic stresses (Pest and Disease). To overcome this problem various strategies are followed viz., modified cultivation practices, improved breeding methods and application of stress tolerant/resistant microorganisms. Present investigation was designed with the view to address the moisture stress by exploring autochthonous microflora of xerophyte Prosopis juliflora (Sw). Ten different isolates were obtained from southern agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu and screened in vitro by artificial induction of drought in solution using PEG 6000. Of which two potential isolates (MLSB 2 & MLSB 6) were obtained from the rhizosphere of Prosopis juliflora collected based on significant anount of IAA and proline produced during moisture stress condition and withstand upto (-1.03 M Pa) osmotic potential.