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Pak. J. Bot., 45(S1): 59-65, 2013.

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MICROBIAL DIVERSITY OF THE RHIZOSPHERE OF KOCHIA (KOCHIA INDICA) GROWING UNDER SALINE CONDITIONS

CHANDNI YAQOOB, HUMERA ASLAM AWAN, ASMA MAQBOOL AND KAUSER ABDULLA MALIK^*

Abstract: Study was conducted to find out the microbial diversity of the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of Kochia indica (halophyte plant). Strains were isolated on four different media viz., LB, AP, NFM and HaP. Maximum diversity was observed in rhizosphere as compare to rhizoplane. Total 14 types of genera were found to reside in rhizosphere and rhizoplane while Predominent genera found were Klebisella and Vibrio. All the isolates were morphologically characterized and screened in vitro for their plant growth promoting traits like production of indoleacetic acid (IAA) and phosphate solubilization. From the rhizosphere 65% strains and from the rhizoplane 62% strains were able to solubilize inorganic phosphate. From the rhizosphere, 35% isolates and from the rhizoplane 74% isolates showed IAA production. One of the isolates from rhizoplane (NFP 9) showed maximum production (35 μM/ml) of IAA. Bacterial isolates were also screened out for the presence of fluorescent Pseudomonads and only two strains exhibited fluorescence under the UV light.

Department of Biological Sciences, Forman Christian College University, Lahore 54600, Pakistan

^*Corresponding author’s e-mail: kauser45@gmail.com