Growth Promotion of Tomato Through Rhizobacteria in a Pot Experiment : Application of PGPR Biotechnology

A pot experiment was conducted to study the comparative effectiveness of rhizobacteria containing either ACC-deaminase and/or nitrogen fixing activity for promoting growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculantum Mill) in pot trial. Isolation of rhizobacteria containing ACC- deaminase and/or nitrogen fixing ability was done by dilution plate technique. Characterization of selected isolates like root colonization, ACC-deaminase activity and indole acetic acid production was done. Seeds of tomato were inoculated with broth of selected isolates. Hoagland nutrient solution was used to provide nutrition. The results showed that rhizobacteria containing both ACC-deaminase and nitrogen fixing activity were more effective than rhizobacteria containing either ACC-deaminase or nitrogen fixing activity alone for growth promotion of tomato under controlled condition.