EFFECT OF ENDOPHYTIC MICROBIAL CONSORTIA ON SEEDLING VIGOUR INDEX OF TOMATO

Endophytes are microorganisms that reside within plant tissues without causing harm, establishing symbiotic relationships with their host plants.This abstract explores the effect of developed endophytes in individual and in combinations on growth parameters of tomato cultivar PKM1 such as shoot length (cm), root length (cm), germination per centage and seedling vigour index (SVI).Results demonstrated that endophytic microbial consortia were able to increase the vigour index (562.45)compared to that of chemical treatment (420.22) and control (281.80).Root length and shoot length was recorded to be highest in chemical treatment followed by endophytic microbial consortia treatment which is on par with the check.Highest germination per centage (%) of 80.68% was recorded in the endophytic treatment in which seeds of tomato were treated with isolate TEB-12 (Gram negative cocci).