CHARACTERIZATION OF MULTIPLE PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION TRAITS OF ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM CATHRANTHUS ROSEUS

Endophytic bacteria can be defined as those bacteria that are present inside the plant tissue without causing any harm to the host plant. Endophytes help in plant growth promotion and can also act as biocontrol agents. With increasing environmental awareness, developing endophytic bacteria as a biofertilizer is a new alternative. Considering this objective, the present research work was carried out. In current study, fresh plants of Cathranthus roseus were collected from the Patanjali nursery Haridwar and endophytic bacteria were isolated from its roots. Total Twenty one endophytic bacteria were obtained which were preliminary identified through morphological and biochemical characterization. Nine different bacteria were selected for PGP Test such as IAA production, HCN, phosphate solubilization, ammonia production and antifungal activity. However, out of nine, two isolates were found to be most potent and showed maximum PGP traits, which can be used for further studies.