• Dr. S. S. Khandare
• K. A. Dhumane
• M.G. Ingale

Among plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, Azospirillum is considered as an important genus which is closely associated with plants and shows potential to degrade organic contaminants, improve the plant health and increase crop yield. The present study deals with the isolation and characterization of Azospirillum strains from roots of wheat (at anthesis stage) plant grown under semiarid soil (15.80% soil moisture) and for different plant growth promoting traits. The isolate was identified on the basis of cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics as Azospirillum lipoferum. The isolate was found to be Gram negative, plump rod, slightly curved, motile and able to ferment glucose, sucrose and lactose with production of acid and gas. The isolate demonstrated PGPR traits like IAA, siderophore, ammonia and HCN production and was also found to solubilize tricalcium phosphate. The enzyme profile of the isolate was also studied and found to produce cellulase, chitinase, catalase, oxidase enzymes. Moreover, Azospirillum (5.5×106/ ml ) showed significant antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi viz; Aspergillus niger Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus glacus and Cladosporium which helps to survive in competitive environment of rhizosphere. Azospirillum was evaluated for its seed germination efficiency and found to induce shoot length up to 23 cm in 10 days as compared to 17 cm in control. The survival of Azospirillum isolates from plants grown under semiarid soil and its potential PGPR traits have technological implications for inoculant formulation and improved growth of cereal crops.

Keywords: Endophytic, Azospirillum, PGPR, wheat, semiarid soil.

"Studies on Isolation and Characterization of Plant Growth Promoting Endophytic Azospirillum from Roots of Wheat Plant (Triticum aestivum) of Semiarid Soil of Wardha District, Maharashtra.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.990-1001, June-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1906925.pdf

"Studies on Isolation and Characterization of Plant Growth Promoting Endophytic Azospirillum from Roots of Wheat Plant (Triticum aestivum) of Semiarid Soil of Wardha District, Maharashtra.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp990-1001, June-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1906925.pdf