Isolation and identification of rhizospheric, endophytic and epiphytic bacteria from chilli cultivars of telangana and its functional characterization

Plant and soil microbiome research is becoming significant for understanding how microorganisms affect agricultural productivity. The utility of microorganisms in improving soil fertility, plant nutrition, and crop productivity has continued to draw attention. In present study, microbial communities from rhizophere, phyllosphere and spermosphere have been isolated from chilli cultivars of Telangana. The total 43 isolates which were unique in their shapes, colour and margin has isolated and evaluated for stress tolerance, PGP traitsand bio-control activities. The total 10 multi PGP isolates identified through 16SrRNA and results revealed that 6 were belongs to Bacillus, one identifies as Pseudomonas and 3 were belongs to Priestia genera. Bacterial isolates were observed for phosphate solubilization ranges (0.5 mm -2 mm), Zinc solubilization (0.5-2.8 mm), potassium solubilization (0.9-1.9 mm) and further analyzed for the synthesis of IAA which was positive in 27 isolates, siderophore (24), HCN production (41). In hydrolytic enzyme production, 21 isolates were positive in amylase, 15 in cellulase, 9 in protease, 16 isolates in lipase and 6 were positive in pectinase enzymes out of 43 isolates. When antagonistic activity carried out, total 10 isolates inhibited the fungal pathogen i.e. Fusarium Oxysporum in vitro with various degree of inhibition. Out of 10 identified multi PGP bacterial isolates Pseudomonas parafulva W2EPC3 and Bacillus subtillis MB2EPC1 were found as best cultures showed maximum activities which belong to epiphytic category. This indicated the initial potential to develop as PGP organisms and bio-control agentused as a bio-fertilizers for chilli and other crops which can be helpful for sustainable agriculture practices.