FRIENDLY BACTERIA PROPPING UP LEGUMES DEVELOPMENT IN PESTICIDE CONTAMINATED SOIL

Abstract

The plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are having a crucial role in the soil fertility. However, the accumulation of various pesticides into the soil is harmful for their existence in the rhizosphere and also for their activities. The present investigation was aimed to study the friendly nature of Pseudomonas sp. in the growth promotion of some leguminous plants by its special abilities like production of siderophore and its resistance for the organophosphate pesticides. Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIM 2036 was observed to produce pyoverdine even in presence of monocrotophos. The highest level of pyoverdine was detected after 72 hrs of growth at 25°C in iron-free succinate medium supplemented with monocrotophos. The addition of iron (III) to the growth medium strongly repressed the synthesis of siderophore. The Pseudomonas sp. was further tested for its plant growth promotional effects in presence of monocrotophos using Vigna radiata (L. Wilzeck) as a standard legume plant and it is found to be significantly effective in plant growth promotion under pot culture conditions.