EXPLORING PGPR PROPERTIES AND BIOCONTROL POTENTIAL OF BACTERIAL ISOLATES FOR WHEAT GERMINATION

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a staple food crop globally, and various biotic and abiotic stresses significantly impact its productivity. The current study aimed to determine the ability to survive bio-control bacteria with antifungal action against 10 phytopathogens, as well as analyze their growth-promoting function in wheat seed growing conditions. Both qualitative and quantitative assays were performed to assess the fungicidal activity of isolated bacteria using the dual culture technique. Plant growth-promoting features such as Indole 3-Acetic Acid (IAA), phosphate solubilization, and Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) were evaluated for four biocontrol bacterial isolates, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Most of the rhizobacteria that inhibited the growth of the pathogen were identified as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Actinomycetes out of 20 Isolates, and were chosen for seed germination studies.