Isolation and Identification of Rhizospheric Bacteria from the Juniper Forest of Ziarat, Balochistan
Isolation and Identification of Rhizospheric Bacteria from the Juniper Forest of Ziarat, Balochistan
Basir Ahmad1, Lubna Ansari1*, Shazia2, Saqib Mehmood3 and Nasim Iqbal Butt3
ABSTRACT
The Greek juniper, the predominant and evergreen species in Ziarat, Balochistan, has significant socioeconomic and environmental significance, but it faces extinction due to severe predatory exploitation over the past century. Restoring the nutrient content in forest soils is made possible by phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, which are crucial functional groups in controlling the elemental cycle and plant nutrition. Similar to other possible plant growth-promoting (PGP) rhizobacteria, these functional bacteria may possess advantageous characteristics or cross-functional capabilities that are necessary for plants and can enhance their growth. The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify and describe specific PGP characteristics of three functional groupings of bacteria from the soils of Ziarat juniper forests. Based on their colonial growth on the appropriate functional media, the bacteria were isolated. They were then identified using molecular and specific biochemical properties. Their functional quantitative activities and PGP properties were evaluated using the phosphate solubilization test and the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Based on their individual high functional activities, root and shoot lengths, and improvements in seedling vigor, the study results revealed the numerous PGP features of a three chosen bacterial isolates. Positive characteristics of all isolates indicated that they were potential plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). It was possible to characterize the most effective isolates as belonging to Pseudomonas sihuiensis, Enterobacter mori and Pantoea conspicua. According to the study’s findings, these useful bacterial strains might be used in biofertilizer formulations to help crops flourish in acidic soils. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use these species as PGPR.
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