Bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is an important warm season vegetable crop cultivated in India. It is the world’s largest producer of vegetables next to China. Among the vegetables grown extensively, bhendi found an important place due to their significant nutritional value. Phyllosphere microbes often have a direct positive influence in altering plant surface properties, where they may be involved in the fixation of nitrogen, promoting the growth of plants, control of plant pathogens or the degradation of organic pollutants. The present study was undertaken the microbial population and Azospirillum population in the phyllosphere region of bhendi. Five Azospirillum isolates were isolated from Bhendi Phyllosphere viz., BAZ 1, BAZ 2, BAZ 3, BAZ 4 and BAZ 5 and five strains were characterized as Azospirillum brasilense. These strains were screened for their N2 fixing efficiency and IAA production.
Bhendi, Phyllosphere, Azospirillum brasilense, N2 fixing efficiency, IAA production
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