Plant Growth Promoting Effects of Native Microbial Isolates From Zea Mays L.

Abstract

Maze (Zea mays L.) alongside rice and wheat, stands as one of the three most crucial agronomic crops gbbally in terms of productivity. In Tamil Nadu, districts like Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, and Virudhunagar constitute 77 percent of the total area of maize cultivation. Pests and diseases have developed as a result of constant cropping and a congenial environment. Inoculating crops with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) presents an attractive opton for widespread adoption, as it could substantially reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers. This reduction would mitigate environmental contamination and alleviate associated negative impacts on both ecosystem and human health. The objective of the study Is to isolate microorganisms from maize fields and to determine their plant growth-promoting traits. Samples of soil and rooted maize plants were obtained from several locations in and around Coimbatore, and standard microbiological techniques were appiled during processing. The biochemical assays were performed on fifty-four strains that had been isolated. Utiiizing various isolated PGPR attributes such as ammonia, indole acetic acid (IAA), and siderophores, alongside employing pectinase, cellulase, protease assay, and dual culture technique, to combat the fungal pathogen, Fusarium moniliforme. The majority of the isolates exhibited at least one positive attribute, indicating their potential as PGPR. Out of 54 solates, 50 demonstrated ammonia production abilty, 38 isolated can produce indole acetic acid, 14 tested positive for siderophore, 11 exhibited cellulase production, 8 isolates are pectinase producers, and 26 showed antagonistic behavior against Fusarium moniliforme, which is a maize pathogen. These isolates’ abilty to promote plant devebpment and exert biocontrol activity suggests that they could be a valuable bloinoculant for sustainable agrculture.