Authors : R. U. Gadpayle, D. N. Lanjewar and M. R. Thengare
Page Nos : 42-44
Description :
Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a very important microbial community of rhizosphere soil. The PGPR essentially defines plant-microbes interactions that may have far reaching consequences on soil health impacting other soil microflora, macroflora, soil dwelling animals, higher plants and consequently land animals including humans. The beneficial effect on plants by PGPR are considered to be through direct action such as production of plant growth hormones and plant stress control or through indirect action such as reduction of plant pathogens by antibiosis, reduction of competition for nutrients, induction of systemic resistant, etc. The availability of metals in soil is suggested to be modified through mineralization & metal-complex formation which favour healthy growth of plants under high metal stress or heavy metal stress. Recent reports indicate that certain PGPR can degrade toxic xenobiotics such as pesticides and herbicides. Thus, PGPR positively affects plant and soil health leading to increased agricultural productivity and contributes to sustainability of ecosystem. The bio-fertilization techniques such as use of animal manure, composts, green manures, microbial inoculants (microbial fertilizers), arbuscular mycorhiza (AM), biosolids, vermicomposts, etc. can increase and sustain rhizobacterial population in soil in an environmentally friendly manner. The plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are, thus, an indispensable microbial population required for better soil quality, high productivity and eco-sustainability.
Key words: Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Soil Quality, Metal Stress, Induced Resistance, Xenobiotics, Sustainable Agriculture
