Environmental Microbiology, Soil Microbiology & Microbial Biogeochemistry

Biography

Biography: Abdulwasiu Sakariyau

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the plant growth-promoting potential and antagonistic ability of endophytic bacteria. Indigenous endophytic bacteria were isolated from surface-sterilized roots and leaves of maize plants. Isolates were screened for plant growth-promoting potential using hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production, phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and ammonia production assays. In vitro antagonistic assay was used to evaluate the antagonistic ability of the isolates against selected phytopathogens. Results showed that Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Microbacterium sp. were HCN producers; all the isolates produced substantial IAA which ranged from 0.69-1.96 mg/mL; Bacillus subtilis, P.  aeruginosa and Microbacterium sp. solubilized phosphate with clear zones of 0.49mm, 0.41mm and 0.66mm respectively. Also, all the isolates except Staphylococcus epidermidis produced ammonia. Microbacterium sp. had the highest percentage of growth inhibition against Alternaria alternata (63.82%), while B. subtilis had the highest percentage of growth inhibition against Rhizoctonia solani (67.45%) and Fusarium oxysporum (71.26%). This study revealed that indigenous endophytic bacteria from maize plants have plant growth-promoting potential and could inhibit the growth of some fungal pathogens of the maize plants.