NOVEL STUDY ON THE CHARACTERIZATION OF RHIZOBACTERIA ISOLATED FROM THE SOIL OF RICE GROWING AREAS OF SINDH

Abstract

Rhizospheric bacteria have been reported to enhance and promote plant growth as well as to antagonize other pathogens. Present studies were conducted to search out such type of antagonistic bacteria. For this purpose, soil samples were collected from different rice growing areas of Sindh with the aim to find out bacteria that can enhance the growth of rice crop and antagonize the rice brown spot fungus (Helminthosporium oryzae). Bacteria were isolated, purified, multiplied and morphologically characterized using light microscopy. Bacterial colonies were found to be small to large in sizes, they were raised round and spherical bearing green, white, offwhite, pale and raddish colours. The bacterial cells under microscope were seen as cocci, short to long rods. Out of all fourteen bacterial cells four were found motle, ten non-motilate, three gram negative and eleven gram positive. Thus, these studies may become helpful for further characterization and identification of bacteria to use them as biocontrol agents against diverse pathogens of different crops.