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The current study aimed to explore the wheat rhizospheric bacterial community for in vitro plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and antagonistic activity against foliar blight disease of wheat caused by Alternaria triticina and Bipolaris sorokiniana. The soil samples from the wheat fields across four Indian states namely Uttarakhand (2 sites), Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra were analyzed for their physicochemical properties, enzymatic activities, and bacterial population density (CFU g-1). Amongst the tested soil samples, field soil from Uttar Pradesh has the highest bacterial population density (2.5x107 CFU g 1) while the Uttarakhand (Almora) soil has the lowest (8.5x 105 CFU g 1). A total of 45 bacterial isolates recovered from all the sites were morphologically identified and screened for in-vitro solubilization of phosphate & zinc, production of ammonia, siderophore, chitinase, protease, cellulase, amylase, lipase, and antagonistic activity. All isolates were found positive for one or more tested functional traits. Amongst 45 isolates, six showed >50% inhibition of Alternaria triticina and Bipolaris sorokiniana mycelium, and three isolates P10, UP11 & MH13 exhibited antagonistic activity against both the tested phytopathogens. Through 16S rDNA sequencing six putative biocontrol isolates, P10, UP11, MH13, MP17, MH12, and MP14 were identified as Bacillus methylotrophicus (MN099430.1), Bacillus subtilis (MN099431.1), Bacillus sp. (MN099432.1), Streptomyces sp. (MN099435.1), Lysinibacillus sp. (MN099433.1), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MN099434.1). The selected wheat rhizobacteria exhibited PGP traits and biocontrol potential hence, may serve as putative biocontrol agents, for the management of foliar blight disease of wheat. |
