Paper Details

PJB-2026-1525

Investigating the efficiency of endophytic bacteria from Fagonia indica in plant growth promotion

Mehwish Iqbal, Nadeem Ullah, Tahira Younis, Lubna Rahman and Zabta Khan Shinwari
Abstract

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The application of endophytic bacteria within agriculture demonstrates significant potential in promoting sustainable agriculture and potential alternatives to pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The microbial approach is increasing accessibility of nutrients for plants that is crucial for sustainable agriculture and other farming practices. The current study was performed to focus on isolation, molecular identification and assessment of plant growth promoting traits of endophytic bacteria from Fagonia indica roots. Four bacterial strains, Siccibacter colletis, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas canadensis and Staphylococcus warneri coded as MI-1, MI-2, MI-3, and MI-4 strains were identified and assessed for plant growth promoting assays such as siderophores production, phosphate solubilization, IAA production and extracellular enzyme activities along with HCN and antifungal activity under İn vitro conditions. These bacteria were also characterized morphologically and biochemically. The results revealed that MI-4 was identified as Gram-positive, whereas the others were Gram-negative and biological aspects demonstrated multiple plant growth-promoting traits. All the bacterial strains were efficient phosphate solubilizers, MI-4 produced siderophores, all strains showed positive results for IAA, ammonia and HCN production. Antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Aspergillus niger was exhibited by all the selected bacterial strains. Enzyme assays confirmed pectinase and protease activities. Application of endophytic bacterial strains on Triticum aestivum significantly increases root and shoot growth İn vitro. This research emphasizes the ability of endophytic bacteria role as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents, promoting and improving the sustainable agricultural practices by increasing the plant growth and reducing the attack of plant pathogens

To Cite this article: Iqbal, M., N. Ullah, T. Younis, L. Rahman and Z.K. Shinwari. 2026. Investigating the efficiency of endophytic bacteria from Fagonia indica in plant growth promotion. Pak. J. Bot., 58(6): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2026-6(9)  
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