The Plant Growth Promoting Potential of Saline Tolerant Rhizobacteria under In vitro Saline Stressed Conditions

Since the beginning of agricultural operations, soil salinity has been one of the most significant abiotic variables limiting agricultural production. Saline tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance nutrient equitation and soil enzyme activities, which serve as indicators of soil biological health, and help to correct nutritional imbalances in plants. Potential bioinoculants for boosting crop yield in saline agriculture include saline tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Therefore, in the present study the potential saline tolerant rhizobacteria isolated from saline patches of Karnataka were screened for Exopolysacchride production and Phosphate solubilization and phytohormone production potential under in vitro saline conditions. The results revealed that among the eight organisms were the highest EPS production, phosphate solubilization and phytohormone production recorded by Bacillus subtilis GAN-4 and Staphylococcus cohnii MAN-3 under both normal and saline stressed conditions compared to other organisms. Therefore,these strains show potential as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for mitigating salinity in saline agriculture.