Multifunctional attributes of endophytic Pseudomonas strains isolated from the leaves of medicinal plants

Abstract

Endophytic bacteria are responsible for improved plant growth due to its role in nitrogen fixation, indole acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization etc and in plant protection through various mechanisms and production of bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study was to determine the plant growth promoting potential of endophytic bacteria isolated from medicinal plants namely, Adulsa, Amla, Bael, Kadamb, Mango, Neem, Tulsi. Endophytic bacteria isolated from the medicinal plants, comprised of 68% Gram positive and 29% Gram negative bacteria. Seventeen distinctly unique Gram-negative endophytes were selected for further analysis. The selected endophytes were tentatively identified as Pseudomonas sp. The multifarious endophytes were capable of nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilisation, indole acetic acid (IAA) production, production of antimicrobial compounds and aromatic compound degradation. Some of the endophytic strains were found to harbor plasmids that may play a role in aromatic compound degradation. This study emphasizes the potential of endophytic Pseudomonas species in enhancing plant growth and plant protection.