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GROWTH PROMOTION OF TWO WHEAT CULTIVARS BY PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA

MUHAMMAD JAVED AND MUHAMMAD ARSHAD*

Abstract: Based upon their ability to produce auxins (indole-3-acetic-acid equivalents), 11 isolates of rhizobacteria were selected to evaluate their growth promoting activity. Seeds of 2 wheat cvs. Inqlab and LU 26S inoculated with these isolates were sown in the field under optimum fertilization (NPK @ 150-75-50 kg ha^-1). Inoculation with rhizobacteria showed an increase in grain yields of cv. Inqlab and LU 26S by upto 15.3% and 18.5%, respectively, as compared to uninoculated control. Inoculation with rhizobacteria also significantly increased the number of tillers, straw weight and lOoo-grain weight in both cultivars. Plant height was increased only in case of wheat cv. LU 26S.

Directorate of Land Reclamation, Canal Bank, Moghalpura, Lahore, Pakistan.

Department of Soil Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.