ABSTRACT

The phenotypic characterization of plant growth promoting Pseudomonas species isolated from soils of field growing rice (Oryza sativa) crops in Ebonyi State South eastern Nigeria were carried out. Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of two months old rice seedlings using a quadrant simple sampling collection technique. Isolation and identification of Pseudomonas species were carried out using standard microbiological procedures. The isolated Pseudomonas species were assessed for their ability to produce plant growth promoting substances namely; siderosphore, phosphate solubilisation, ammonia and indole acetic acid. Also, the potential of the isolated Pseudomonas species as biofertilizer were assessed using in vitro pot experiment. The results revealed that 66 Pseudomonas species were isolated and its distribution showed that 7(10.6%) were isolated from Abakaliki LGA, 22(33.3%) from Afikpo North, 11(16.7%) from Ezza North, 7(10.6%) from Ezza South., 16(24.2%) from Ikwo and 3(4.6%) were isolated from Ohaukwu L.G.A. The result of the plant growth promoting characteristics of the pseudomonas species was presented with many of the Pseudomonas species producing high plant growth promoting substances. The pot experiment revealed that the organism significantly enhanced the growth of rice plants when compared with both the positive and negative controls. Therefore, the bacterial isolates have the potential for future applications as biofertilizers in rice farm in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Publication date: 01/04/2020

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2020/April/MS_IJBPAS_2020_4933.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2020/9.4.4933