Studies on the Impact of Microbial Consortia towards Enhancing the Growth of Red Sanders
Tilak. M
Department of Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam – 641301, India.
R. Vijayan *
Department of Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam – 641301, India.
K. Sivakumar
Department of Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam – 641301, India.
M. Kirubha
Department of Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam – 641301, India.
P. Radha
Department of Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam – 641301, India.
P.S. Devanand
Department of Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam – 641301, India.
K. Vaiyapuri
Department of Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam – 641301, India.
M. Murugesh
Department of Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam – 641301, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, either alone or combined, as bioinoculants presents an economical and eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. This method provides a comprehensive solution for enhancing plant growth and yield. This study aimed to develop robust microbial consortia possessing plant growth-promoting capabilities and evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing tree seedling growth. Six bacterial strains were collected and screened for specific traits linked to promoting plant growth. Selected strains were then assessed for compatibility with each other, resulting in the formation of bacterial consortia. These consortia demonstrated diverse plant growth-promoting properties, including the production of the plant growth hormone indole acetic acid and the synthesis of exopolysaccharides. Consequently, these bacterial consortia exhibit significant potential as bioinoculants, offering a promising approach to enhancing plant growth and productivity in an environmentally friendly manner. This contributes to the progress of efforts aimed at promoting seedling growth.
Keywords: Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, microbial consortia, red sanders, seedling