EVALUATION OF IN VITRO PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING TRAITS AND BIO-INOCULANT FORMULATION USING NATIVE AZOTOBACTER AND PSEUDOMONAS STRAINS FROM DIVERSE AGROCLIMATIC REGIONS

The present study investigates the plant growth-promoting potential of native Azotobacter and Pseudomonas isolates obtained from rhizospheric soils of Vastral (Ahmedabad), Mehsana (Gujarat), and Etawah (Uttar Pradesh). The isolated strains were evaluated for in vitro traits such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, siderophore secretion, and ammonia production. Based on performance, single and consortia-based bio-inoculants were formulated. Their efficacy was assessed through seed germination assays and pot trials using a selected crop under controlled conditions. The results demonstrated significant enhancement in germination percentage, root-shoot length, and overall plant vigor, especially with consortia treatments. This study highlights the potential of region-specific PGPR formulations for sustainable agricultural practices.