Phosphate solubilising bacteria (Bacillus polymyxa) - An effective approach to mitigate drought in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Abstract

The main aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the effect of priming of seeds of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) with phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) during drought stress condition. The use of phosphate solubilising bacteria as inoculants is found to be simultaneously increasing the Phosphorus uptake by the plant and crop yield. As the farmers in the state of Kerala are severely fed up with the water stress condition prevailing in the summer season, the present attempt may become miniature step to stretch a helping hand to them. In the study, the seeds of tomato (L. esculentum) cv. Anakha were subjected to priming treatment with 0.5 % and 1% phosphate solubilising bacteria. The parameters like germination percentage, root length, shoot length, relative water content, amount of chlorophyll, protein, proline and yield were studied. Inoculation with phosphate solubilising bacteria showed remarkable variation in both physiological and biochemical parameters of tomato plants. Among the two concentrations tested, 0.5% phosphate solubilising bacteria was found to be effective in mitigating the effect of water