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Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Biosciences (IJPAB)
Year : 2025 , Volume 13, Issue 3
Page No. : 1-9
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.9167

<p>Harnessing Soil Rhizobacteria from Gwalior region for Multiple Plant Growth Promoting traits and Heavy Metal Resistance</p>

Anjali Pathak , Mir Sajad Rabani , Mahendra K. Gupta*  

Microbiology Research Lab, School of Studies in Botany Jiwaji University, Gwalior-474011

 ABSTRACT

Rhizospheric soil bacteria play a significant role in influencing plant development by employing multiple growth enhancing strategies and are crucial in alleviating heavy metal stress as well as other abiotic challenges faced by plants. Plant growth enhancing rhizobacteria (PGER) are extensively applied as bioinoculants to boost crop advancement, health, and yield. This study aimed to isolate and characterize plant growth enhancing rhizobacteria (PGER) from agricultural soils of the Gwalior region for their multifunctional traits and heavy metal resistance. Total five bacterial isolates were screened for their abilities to synthesize of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), solubilization of phosphate and zinc, the biosynthesis of siderophores, production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and ammonia. Among the tested isolates, two bacterial strains, MR2D and A8D, exhibited the most promising plant growth enhancing traits after characterization. Additionally, these two selected strains were further evaluated for their tolerance to multiple heavy metals, including Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co and Pb at varying concentrations (i.e., 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0%) respectively. Molecular characterization through 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified A8D as Leclercia adecarboxylata and MR2D as Pantoea agglomerans. Both isolates demonstrated the dual functionality by promoting plant growth and tolerating heavy metals. Therefore, the study suggests the applicability of these strains in sustainable agriculture and bioremediation. These findings highlight the potential of PGER as eco-friendly bioinoculants to improve crop productivity as well as soil health under a stressed environment.

Keywords: HCN, Siderophore, Auxin Production, Phosphate solubilization, PGER, Heavy metals.

Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.9167

Cite this article:,

Cite this article: Pathak, A., Rabani, M. S., & Gupta, M. K. (2025). Harnessing Soil Rhizobacteria from Gwalior region for Multiple Plant Growth Promoting traits and Heavy Metal Resistance, Ind. J. Pure App. Biosci. 13(3), 1-9. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.9167