Isolation, partial characterization and identification of rhizobacteria for growth promotion of corn (Zea mays L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) from selected sites in the Philippines

Date

4-2012

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Cell Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Cheryl A. Agdaca

Co-adviser

Jocelyn T. Zarate

Abstract

A total of 150 bacterial strains were isolated from rhizospheric soils in various parts of the Philippines. These were analyzed for nitrogen-fixing activity, phosphorus-solubilizing activity, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production and gibberellic acid (GA) production. Results showed that out of 150 isolates, there were 43 nitrogen-fixers, three phosphorus-solubilizers, 39 GA producers and 10 IAA producers. Four isolates (GTC-P4, AAP-GD4, GTC-LGDsf5 and GTC-LGDtA2) produced high amounts of IAA ranging from 48.39 to 1332.25 .tg ml-1 and these were selected for further analysis. These isolates were subjected to morphological characterization, biochemical and molecular identification, and is vivo assay to test their effect on growth of corn and tomato. AAP-GD4, GTC-LGDsf5 and GTC-LGDtA2 were identified as Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus sp. and Bacillus cereus, respectively. Biochemical and molecular procedures failed to identify GTC-P4 suggesting that it is a possible novel bacterium. GTC-LGDtA2 and GTC-LGDsf5 gave the highest values in the different growth parameters (shoot height, root length and plant biomass) of corn and tomato respectively, regardless of the level of inorganic fertilizer used. Other microbial inoculants, AAP-GD4 and GTC-P4, also gave statistically significant increases in different growth parameters of corn and tomato. Further characterization and field testing of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are highly recommended to ensure direct effects on corn and tomato production.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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